Little Rock rookie keeper Moses Moody blasted with his highest scoring and rebounds – 24 points and 9 boards, which were also game highs – to lead the Arkansas Razorbacks against Texas Arlington, 72-60, Wednesday at Pod Walton. Arena in Fayetteville.
Arkansas (3-0) holds the best record on the Securities and Exchange Commission as early as 2020-21 as second-year coach Eric Moselman improved to 15-1 in matches outside of conferences while leading the Razorbacks. Arkansas is now 9-0 all-time against UTA. The Mavs (1-3) remained close to their previous losses against Oklahoma State and Louisiana Tech, losing a 12-point total, the final margin in UTA’s loss in Arkansas on Wednesday.
Moody made 6 of his first 7 shot attempts and fed a few points off Hog (he scored 7 points in a 15-5 spurt early in the first half, and had 6 points in 15-2 early in the second half) as he rose to 18 points when Arkansas led 59-38 with 13:05 remaining in the match. Moody finished 7 of 12 from the field (58.3%), including 2 of 3 of 3 (66.7%), and 8 of 10 from the free throw line (80%) for 24 points in 31 minutes.
“On another night Moses Modi tried two-number free throws,” Muselman said during his post-match radio interview. “A total of 9 rebounds – 6 defensive – which when he bounces high changes the look of our defense. We want him to have the freedom to push the basketball.”
Senior Graduate Transporter Galen Tate earned 14 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal and 1 piece in 33 minutes. Big man Conor Vanover had another efficient night in attack, scoring 12 points (5 of 6 field goals, including 2 of 3 of 3) to go with 2 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 1 steal in just 12 minutes. Senior Graduation Player Justin Smith contributed 11 points, 9 rebounds, two assists, and one steal in 35 minutes.
Freshmen Jaylene Williams (3 rebounds, 2 draws, 1 block, 1 steal in 12 minutes) and KK Robinson (3 points, 1 pass in 13 minutes before they knocked out) played well on the bench for the hogs. Young keepers JD Notae and Desi Sills struggled to shoot the ball, collecting 2 of 11 from the field on their way to combine for 8 points.
“I thought Jaylin Williams from the bench was amazing in his minutes,” Muselman said. “I thought he did all the little things: he got a few loads, he wore the basketball … I thought KK did a good job other than his contamination. Connor scored 12 points and 12 minutes. He (Tate) kind of a craftsman, doing a little bit of everything For our sake. He can kind of play multiple situations. “
As a team, Arkansas – the SEC’s worst pre-season rebound team – won the Glass Battle (43-30) for the third time in three matches. Pigs started the season in addition to 52nd on the boards. Hogs also dominated second-chance points (21-6), point turnover (20-10), paintball points (28-14), and breakout points (11-4).
Arkansas won assists (12-7), matches (14-11), blocks (4-3), and robbery (8-7) as well. The Razorbacks (10.0) and Mavs (10.3) entered the game with an average double count of robberies per competition with UTA Ranger Shahada Wells (3.3), Hogs’ Moody (3.0) and Smith (3.0) among the singles leaders nationally In thefts on a stroll.
Arkansas fired 25 of 62 from the field (40.3%), including 7 of 21 from 3 (33.3%), and 15 of 19 from the free throw line (78.9%). Hogs identified UTA with only 21 of 43 field goal shots (38.9%), including 7 of 19 of 3 (36.8%). The Mavs made 11 of 16 free throws (68.8%).
Arkansas’ next home game on Saturday will be against Lipscomb (1-2) at the ASUN Conference. The game is timed to 5 p.m. CT scanning at Bud Walton Arena and will be streamed live via SEC Network Plus.
For the second game in a row, Muselman began matches with Sales of Five, Smith, Moody, Tate and Vanover.
With Arkansas trailing 7-4 early, Moody scored 7 points (dipping, lead in paint to throw the ball, and his first three in-game markers) to feed 15-5 Hogs and 19-12 leads. Notae and Vanover both sprayed three times deep as part of the 10-2 boom that propelled Arkansas to advance 29-18. Rookie keeper KK Robinson hit three pointers in the left corner to give the Razorbacks their biggest lead in the first half, 44-31.
Modi led the way in the first 20 minutes with 12 points (4 of 4 field goals, including 2 of 2 of 3, and 2 of 3 free throws) and 4 rebounds as Arkansas advanced 44-33, in half time. Vanover scored 8 points (3 of 3 field goals, including 2 of 2 of 3) in the first half. Smith scored 7 points and 5 rebounds, and Tate contributed 7 points and 4 assists. Notae scored 5. Williams had 3 rebounds, one cut, and 2 tied goals playing 7 minutes off the bench.
In the first half, Arkansas fired 15 field goals overall from 32 goals (46.9%), including 6 of 14 goals out of 3 (42.9%), and 8 out of 10 free throws (80.0%). The Pigs won the first half with a rebound battle (23-15), second chance points (11-2), points in paint (18-6), and quick break points (7-0).
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