FAYETTEVILLE -- No. 14 Arkansas used a strong first half on its way to defeating Queens University 108-80 on Tuesday night in Bud Walton Arena.
The Razorbacks placed six players, including all five starters, in double figures. Arkansas led 60-36 at intermission and shot 50% (14-28) from behind the 3-point line. Trevon Brazile led the team with a career-high 26 points while freshman guard Darius Acuff Jr. added 23 points and 10 assists.
“Just trying to build that chemistry every game, we’re starting to take it out there on the court,” Acuff said. “It’s paying off right now.”
Arkansas (9-2) saw Brazile come out extremely hot from the field. He was 7 for 7 from the field and 4 for 4 from behind the 3-point line giving him 18 points in the first half.
“Obviously I had a good game against Texas Tech,” Brazile said. “So not being complacent, not settling — this was a trap game coming off a game like that.”
Queens held a 9-5 lead early on and it looked as if this indeed could be a trap game for the Razorbacks. However the Hogs then went on a 13-0 run to go up 18-9 and then pulled away from the visitors.
The Razorbacks built the lead to as much as 92-56 on a DJ Wagner 3 with 8:04 remaining in the game. Wagner finished with 10 points, three assists and two steals.
Queens entered the game known for shooting 3s. Arkansas limited them to 6 for 25 from deep and associate head coach Kenny Payne knew that would frustrate the visitor.
“It becomes a tough 2 game, meaning that you're going to score 2s. We're not giving you 3s,” Payne said. “We're going to contest your 3s. We’re going to force you to drive the ball….Now they got some 2s, but we did a great job of defending the 3-point line.”
Billy Richmond scored 15 points and pulled down five boards off the bench. Nick Pringle had 14 points and topped Arkansas with seven rebounds. Karter Knox had 11 points, five rebounds, three assists, one steal and a block.
Queens (5-7) had four players finish in double figures topped by Nasir Mann with 16 points.
Arkansas will take on No. 8 Houston (10-1) Saturday at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. at 4:30 p.m. and televised on CBS.
