The Arkansas Razorbacks used a late first half run to pull away from Mississippi State Wednesday night at Bud Walton Arena 96-70.
The defense was the story of the game. The Hogs forced 29 Bulldog turnovers, converting that into 40 points. They also had 11 blocks, which is the second most all-time in an SEC game.
“We really harassed the basketball,” head coach Mike Anderson said. “Our pressure defense created a lot of havoc, especially in the second half. I thought fatigue was a huge factor.”
Marshawn Powell led all scores with 17. BJ Young added 13, but those points came off the bench. Rashad Madden started in front of Young.
“It was a game of tempo,” Anderson said. “We established the tempo because of our defense. Our first five was very active, and they were unselfish offensively and defensively. It was good to see it come together.”
Arkansas got out to a 14-3 lead a few minutes in, but then head coach Mike Anderson subbed out his starting five for a fresh five, including Young.
Mississippi State went on an eight to nothing run, and this game stayed close until late in the first half when Young scored seven straight points.
The Hogs led 42-33 going into half and then used a 9-0 nothing run early in the second to put the game out of reach.
The 26-point win was the largest margin of victory in the SEC for the Hogs since 2010.