FAYETTEVILLE (KFSM)–Arkansas toughed it out defensively and turned a sloppy first half into a dominant 78-62 win over Stephen F. Austin. Even with committing 13 turnovers, the defense stepped up in the second half to secure the victory.
Two freshmen provided the first offensive boost. CJ Jones struck with back-to-back threes, followed by an Adrio Bailey dunk. The points were Bailey’s first career. Ten of eleven Hogs to touch the floor in the first half scored, and Arkansas led 34-28 at halftime.
Entering the game, Stephen F. Austin ranked dead last (347th) in the country with 23.5 turnovers per game. Arkansas capitalized on sloppy play early, forcing 6 turnovers in the first 5 minutes. The squads combined for 20 turnovers in the first half.
The Razorbacks used the first part of the second half to distance themselves. Dusty Hannahs had a game high 15 points, Manny Watkins added 8 points and 7 rebounds and Moses Kingsley posted 12 points and 6 rebounds. The Hogs maintained a double digit lead the rest of the game. In transition, the Razorbacks outscored the Lumberjacks 20-4.
With the victory, Arkansas improves to 5-1 this season with Austin Peay coming to Bud Walton Arena on Saturday at 7PM.
!["This program, [when] you talk about some of the best jobs in the country in basketball, this is one of them," Calipari said.](https://media.tegna-media.com/assets/KFSM/images/cf0926fc-f855-401b-9c52-091fa843e8c1/cf0926fc-f855-401b-9c52-091fa843e8c1_1920x1080.jpg)