FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas used a strong second half to defeat UTSA 75-60 on Saturday afternoon inside Bud Walton Arena.
UTSA took a 32-27 lead into intermission, but Arkansas came out playing with much more intensity and focus in the second half. Forward Adou Thiero topped Arkansas with 26 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 block. He relayed what the message at halftime was.
"We went into halftime and told each other we have to have some pride," Thiero said. "So we just had to come with some intensity."
UTSA held its biggest lead of the game at 32-24 with 25 seconds remaining in the first half. However, D.J. Wagner nailed a 3-point shot just before halftime to pull the Hogs to within five points.
"Going down by five is better than down by eight," Thiero said. "It kind of settled us down and got us on the right path."
The Hogs built their biggest lead of the game at 67-51 with 4:59 remaining in the game. Johnell "Nelly" Davis chipped in 13 points, 1 rebound, 3 assists and 1 block also. Davis had his best game from distance knocking down a trio of 3-pointers in five attempts.
Jonas Aidoo got his first start as a Razorback. He has been battling an injury all season, but is rounding into better shape. Aidoo added 8 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, a pair of blocks and 1 steal.
UTSA (3-5) was led by Primo Spears with 19 points while Marc Millender had 18. They shot 41% from the field while Arkansas knocked down 53%. The Hogs hit 5 of 15 from 3-point territory. UTSA only had nine turnovers to 15 for the Razorbacks. The Hogs easily outrebounded the visitors 38-22 and outscored them 40-22 in the paint.
Zvonimir Ivisic missed the game with an injury. The Hogs now head to New York City where they will face Michigan at 8 p.m. Tuesday night on ESPN. Thiero is excited about that opportunity.
"I feel like we are getting better," Thiero said. "And we’ll get Z back. Excited. Who don’t want to play in Madison Square Garden?"
Arkansas (7-2) will get a severe test from Michigan (8-1). The Wolverines lone loss this season was to Wake Forest 72-70 in the second game of the year. They have beaten TCU 76-64. Arkansas lost a preseason game at TCU 66-65 on Friday, Nov. 1.
Photos Courtesy of Craven Whitlow CW3 Sports Action
