No. 9 Arkansas Comes from Behind for Win over UNCG Men’s Basketball, 65-58
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) men’s basketball team was persistent in a Southeastern Conference (SEC) battle Tuesday night, but No. 9 Arkansas found itself on top, 65-58, in front of a sellout crowd at Bud Walton Arena.
Three Spartans scored in double figures, including Donovan Atwell with 12, Dante Treacy with 11, and Kobe Langley with 10.
UNCG led at the half, 26-21. This was the eighth game out of the Spartans’ 10 this season that they have led at the half.
The Razorbacks’ 21 points was the least number of points in the first half this season. This was the lowest scoring first half for Arkansas since January 16, 2021 when it played Alabama and was down 42-19 at the half. This is also the fourth game all season that the Razorbacks were down at the half.
From Head Coach Mike Jones on the game
“I am definitely proud of how our team competed and competing for all 40 minutes against a really good team on their home floor and with the crowd the way it was. I am definitely proud of that, but disappointed in the result.”
“To their credit I think their point guard getting in trouble really affected their effectiveness on offense, but I thought our defense was locked in and engaged and I think we understood what their advantages were and we were able to keep them out of the lane and keep them out of transition.”
HOW IT HAPPENED
UNCG opened the game with a three-pointer from Keyshaun Langley at 19:23. Arkansas took its first lead with a jumper from Nick Smith, Jr. at 17:09. The two teams traded baskets before neither team scored for three minutes. Mikeal Brown-Jones broke the silence with a free throw before a 9-0 run sparked a 10-point advantage, 16-6, at 6:53. The run included back-to-back threes from Atwell. A jumper from the Razorbacks cut the deficit to eight, 16-8, but the Spartans’ 6-2 run put them up by 12, 22-10, UNCG’s largest lead of the game. Arkansas went on an 11-2 run to conclude the first half, but UNCG held the advantage, 26-21.
Arkansas came out looking to score, as it took its first lead at 15:48, 34-33, since 14:57 in the first half. Atwell hit his third three of the night to take the lead back, 36-34, as the Razorbacks tied the game at 36 at 14:29. Atwell then drained his fourth three and Brown-Jones scored to extend the lead to five, 41-36, at 13:41. There were three more tied scores, including the final, 49-49, with 4:21 remaining. Kobe Langley broke the 8-0 run by Arkansas with a deep three to cut the deficit to 54-52. The Razorbacks closed the game with an 11-4 run to secure their fourth-straight win, 65-58.
BY THE NUMBERS
Kobe Langley’s(Southwest Guilford HS) 10 points was a season high.
He also contributed eight rebounds and matched his career-best seven assists.
Atwell’s 12 points off the bench matched his career best.
He shot 4-for-6 from behind the arc, for a career high.
Atwell also had three steals.
Mohammed Abdulsalam had 10 rebounds, this third game this season with double-digit boards.
Keyshaun Langley(Southwest Guilford HS) added nine points and three steals.
The Razorbacks edged the Spartans, 28-26, with points in the paint.
UNCG held the advantage in points off turnovers, 9-6, and points from the bench, 18-11.
This was the sixth game out of 10 that the Spartans have scored a three-pointer to start the game.
From Coach Jones on playing all 40 minutes
“Tonight, was one of the first games this year that we have done it for 40 minutes. We have done it in stretches, but we haven’t had that mental toughness and mental focus for 40 minutes before tonight and tonight we did.”
RECORDS
UNCG: 4-6
Arkansas: 8-1
UP NEXT
The Spartans return home following its six-game road slate to host Marshall on Tuesday, December 13 with a tip off at 7:00 p.m. at the Greensboro Coliseum.
Courtesy of Denise Archetto
Assistant Athletic Director For Strategic Communications
UNC Greensboro