“Razorback’s Storytelling Stats in Defeating Troy”

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – No. 18 Arkansas improved to 2-1 on the season with a 65-49 win over Troy at Bud Walton Arena on Wednesday, but it didn’t come easy.

After a worrisome start that saw the struggling Hogs trailing 27-26, the home team turned up the intensity and blew the game away in the second half.

Adou Thiero and Zvonimir Ivisic each scored 19 points, and Boogie Fland chipped in 12 points, joining them in double figures in the win.

Here are three narrative statistics about what’s happening at Bud Walton Arena:

RAZORBACKS FIND THE SHOOTING RHYTHM AFTER THE UGLY FIRST HALF

As it turned out, the red flags flying around Bud Walton Arena were early warning signs, not the Razorback equipment, as the home team struggled in a 26-point first half, shooting 30.3% from the field and just 2 of 11 Scoring from three goals was hard on the eyes.

Arkansas missed 10 of its first 12 field shots overall and eight of its first nine three-pointers, while backcourt combination Johnell Davis and DJ Wagner combined for just two points on 1 of 6 shooting in the first frame.

The Razorbacks shook off the cobwebs at halftime, making 9 of their first 11 field goals – including four straight three-pointers – to build a comfortable lead midway through the second half.

Arkansas’ red-hot second half continued, with Ivisic hitting five of his six three-pointers in the second half and serving as a spark plug for an offense that shot over 60% from the field and long distance in the second half.

The Razorbacks finished the night with a season-high 10 three-pointers made on 23 attempts.

ARKANSAS CONTINUES TO HAVE HAT ON THE DEFENSE

According to KenPom, Arkansas entered Wednesday ranked 12th nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency, and it looked that way against Troy.

The Razorbacks could have easily been down by double digits at halftime, but a stingy defensive performance kept Arkansas within striking distance and within one point (27-26) at halftime.

While Arkansas struggled to connect from distance, Troy was held to just three of 11 shots from distance and forced a dozen turnovers in the first half with nine steals and five blocks, doubling the Trojans’ points on turnovers and held a +6 lead in field goals attempted at halftime.

Even after the break, defense versus attack was the theme. It was back-to-back steals midway through the second half that sparked a quick 7-0 run that extended Arkansas’ lead to double digits for the first time.

The Razorbacks set highs with 24 forced turnovers, 16 steals and 10 blocks and held Troy to 38.9% shooting overall, 15.8% on three made triples and just 49 points.

Arkansas’ thin frontcourt will be challenged around the rim

It’s worth noting that the Razorbacks missed more shots in the first half, but something that stood out in the halftime boxscore was Troy outscoring Arkansas 25-15 overall with a +1 advantage on the offensive glass.

Of course, it didn’t help that Trevon Brazile – who grabbed five boards in the opening minutes – went down with an apparent ankle injury midway through the first half and Jonas Aidoo appeared to be limping in the emergency minutes.

Both were out for the second half, leaving the Hogs with sophomore Zvonimir Ivisic as the only active post player on the roster alongside jumbo winger Adou Thiero.

Despite being short-handed inside, Arkansas tightened up on the perimeter and at least nearly got Troy tied on the glass after halftime.

In the end, Troy won the entire rebounding battle (37-30) with a +4 advantage on the offensive glass – never ideal against a middling opponent – ​​but given the circumstances, Arkansas was able to limit the damage to just a dozen positive to take points at the second chance.

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