Hogs tame Tigers (times 2)

Razorbacks get a pair of much needed conference wins over Missouri, LSU

arkansasrazorbacks.com FAYETTEVILLE — JD Notae scored 19 points, Jaylin Williams had a double- double and Arkansas used a dominant first half to roll to an 87-43 win over Missouri on Wednesday night.

Trey Wade scored 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting for the Razorbacks (12-5, 2-3 Southeastern Conference), who had lost five of six games to fall out of the Top 25. Davonte Davis added 15 points and Williams had 13 points and 10 rebounds.

Arkansas scored the first seven points of the game and followed a 3-pointer by the Tigers with a 19-0 run to lead 26-3. The Razorbacks were 11-of-15 shooting while the Tigers started the game 1 of 13 and went 3 of 21 to trail 49-15 at halftime.

Notae scored 14 points and Wade 12 as Arkansas was 17 of 33 (51.5 percent) despite going 2 of 9 from 3-point range. The Razorbacks were also 13 of 17 from the foul line, scored 16 points off 11 turnovers while committing just two and had a 23-17 rebounding advantage.

The lead never dipped below 35 points after the first three minutes of the second half.

Missouri (7-8, 1-2) had to shoot 48 percent in the second half (11 of 23) to finish at 29 percent for the game and committed another 12 turnovers.

Javon Pickett scored 12 points for the Tigers, who ended up 2 of 16 from 3point range, and Jarron Coleman scored 11. The Missouri bench was outscored 32-2.

Arkansas kept its momementum against LSU on Saturday, even without Coach Eric Musselman, who had shoulder surgery on Thursday and is expected to miss at least two games. Assistant Keith Smart served as interim coach.

Arkansas trailed 56-48 with less than seven minutes to play before launching into a torrential 17-2 run to close the gap and secure what has to be considered an upset win against the No. 12 team in the nation.

It was a much-needed win for the Razorbacks, who have been shaky since the start of conference play.

A statement from Musselman’s doctor said he was injured on a collision with a player, and an MRI confirmed he had torn tendons and would require surgery. The plan to use daily physical therapy, treatment and a steroid injection to delay the surgery didn’t ease the pain or stabilize the shoulder.

Surgery was chosen to limit the risk of further injury.

Photos courtesy of the Arkansas Razorbacks