Field Level Media
Dec 20, 2020
Justin Smith had 22 points and 17 rebounds to lead Arkansas' rally in the second half in its 87-76 win over Oral Roberts on Sunday at Fayetteville.
Arkansas, which trailed 40-30 at halftime, snapped an 18-game losing streak after trailing by at least 10 points at halftime.
Moses Moody had 18 points and seven rebounds, Desi Sills finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds, and J.D. Notae had 15 points for the Razorbacks (7-0).
Oral Roberts (3-5) was led by Kevin Obanor's 21 points and 10 rebounds. R.J. Glasper had 14 points, Kareem Thompson finished with 13 points and six rebounds and Max Abmas has 11 points.
Abmas entered the game averaging 20.7 points per game.
Arkansas went on a 15-3 run to take a 49-48 lead with 12:49 left in the second half.
The Golden Eagles went nearly 4 minutes without making a field goal. They missed three field goal attempts and committed five turnovers in that stretch.
Notae, Smith, Moody and Sills combined to score 51 of Arkansas' 57 second-half points. Smith also had nine rebounds in the second half as the Razorbacks controlled the boards 26-13 during that stretch.
The Razorbacks had a 56-22 margin in points-in-the-paint.
Oral Roberts built a 40-30 lead at halftime behind 12 points from Obanor and nine turnovers forced against the Razorbacks.
The Golden Eagles had an 18-5 edge at halftime in points off turnovers.
Abmas tallied three steals and Carlos Jurgens had two steals at that point.
The turnovers and Arkansas' 2 of 16 shooting from 3-point range negated its 32-19 rebounding that led to 13 second-chance points edge at halftime.
Arkansas had only six turnovers in the second half while posting nine assists.
The Razorbacks shot 54.1 percent after halftime and made 15 of 20 from the free-throw line.
Arkansas played for the first time in eight days after having time off to complete final exams.
--Field Level Media