FAYETTEVILLE – Arkansas opened its 98th season of men’s basketball with a 142-62 victory versus Mississippi Valley State Wednesday night at Bud Walton Arena.
Arkansas went a 28-0 run in the first half and held the Delta Devils scoreless for the first 2:57 of the first half to put the game away. Arkansas also out-rebounded MVSU, 58-33.
The win was the second-best night for scoring in Arkansas history.
- The 142 points were the second-most points ever scored by the Razorbacks while the 82 second-half points were also the second-most scored by the Hogs in a half. (Both records for most points came versus U.S. International in a 166-101 victory on 12/9/89. Arkansas scored 88 second-half points in that win.)
- The 80-point win is the second-largest margin of victory in school history. (The record is 82 points in a 128-46 win over Bethune-Cookman on Dec. 4, 1991.
- Arkansas drained 20-of-40 from 3-point range and was one triple shy of the school record of 21. (School record was set versus Troy by making 21-of-37 on Dec. 10, 1996.)
Others reaching double figures were Desi Sills (19), Moses Moody (16), Khalen Robinson (15), Justin Smith (13), JD Notae (13) and Jalen Tate (12). Jaylin Williams just missed a double-double, grabbing a game-high 10 rebounds with nine points.
Arkansas will return to Bud Walton Arena on Saturday (Nov. 28) to host North Texas. Tipoff is set for 5:00 pm ad will be broadcast on the SEC Network Plus.
FIRST HALF: Arkansas 61 – MSVU 30
- Arkansas scored the first points of the game – a Justin Smith bucket in the paint. Mississippi Valley answered with a 3-pointer. Thanks to a pair of steals by Moses Moody, Arkansas led 10-6 at the first media timeout.
- Arkansas went on a 28-0 run to lead 41-8. Arkansas made eight 3’s during the run – including four from Vance Jackson Jr.
- Vance Jackson led all scorers with 12 points.
- Justin Smith, Khalen Robinson and Connor Vanover each scored 11. Vanover led the Hogs with five boards.
- Arkansas was 12-of-19 (.632) from the 3-point line in the first half.
- Arkansas scored 60-plus points in a half for the first time since Dec. 2019 (63 vs FIU in the second half in a 121-89 win).
- Arkansas shut-out Mississippi Valley State for the first 2:58 to start the second half.
- Arkansas made 21 of its 26 free throws in the game during the second half, finishing the frame at 21-of-23.
- Desi Sills led the scoring in the second half with 12 points and Jaylin Williams had seven of his game-high 10 rebounds in the second half.
- This was the 141st time to score at least 100 points. Arkansas is 136-5 in such games. A Musselman college-coached team scored 100-plus for the 10th time and he is 9-1 in such games. Musselman is
- Arkansas’ starting lineup was Jalen Tate (G) – Desi Sills (G) – Moses Moody (G) – Justin Smith (F) – Vance Jackson Jr. (F).
- Arkansas won the tip.
- Justin Smith scored the first points of the game.
- JD Notae and Jaylin Williams were the first subs for Arkansas.
- Arkansas is 6-0 all-time versus Mississippi Valley State.
- Arkansas has won 46 straight home openers, including a 28-0 record in Bud Walton Arena. Overall, Arkansas has won 46 of the last 49 season openers.
- Eric Musselman is 6-0 as a collegiate head coach n both home and season openers.
- The 142 points is the most scored by a Musselman coached team in college. It was also the most field goals made by a Musselman college-coached team (48) as well as the field goals attempted (86), most 3-pointers made (20), 3-pointers attempted (40), third-most rebounds (58) and third-most assists (26).
- The 58 rebounds are the most since Arkansas grabbed 55 versus Utah Valley on Jan. 3, 2015.
- Vance Jackson made 4-of-his-first-5 3-pointers during a 28-0 Razorback run. His fourth triple came at 7:48 in the first half to give him 1,001 career points. He finished with 15 and now has 1,005 career points.
- Dating back to last season, Desi Sills has scored double figures in 10 of his last 12 games.
- Jalen Tate scored 12 points and he is just 38 points shy of 1,000 for his career.
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