Most expected a blowout Tuesday night at Bud Walton Arena. As for the Arkansas basketball faithful who thought the game would turn in their favor, they were right.
The Razorbacks came out firing on all cylinders, hitting three 3-points in the first three minutes on their way to routing No. 2-ranked Florida 80-69 at Bud Walton Arena.
Arkansas (13-8, 5-4 SEC) led by 20 points or more for most of the game, but withstood a late Florida (18-3, 8-1) flurry.
“This was a total team win against a great basketball team,” head coach Mike Anderson said. “Our bench played outstanding. Our defense took them out of what they wanted to do. We were excellent at rebounding. We made shots and did a good job attacking and moving the ball.”
B.J. Young led the Razorbacks with 13 points off the bench to go along with five assists, while Marshawn Powell and Michael Qualls each finished with 11 points. Florida got 15 points from Mike Rosario and 14 from Scottie Wilbekin.
“The first basket set the tone and everything else fell in line,” Powell said. “We ran, we attacked and we played physical. That was our goal and we executed it. It shows what we can do, the potential we have and how hard we work every day. It feels good.”
Arkansas held Florida to 41 percent shooting from the field, while the Gators committed 16 turnovers. Arkansas shot nearly 50 percent from the floor and knocked down eight 3-pointers.
The Razorbacks got production from their entire roster, as eight different players scored seven or more points. Powell and Jacorey Williams each grabbed a team-high six rebounds.