LEXINGTON — Led by Ricky Council's 20 points, the Arkansas Razorbacks shot a sizzling 72 percent in the second half to pull away for a 88-73 win over the Kentucky Wildcats on Tuesday night
Kentucky (16-8, 7-4 SEC) was led in scoring by freshman Carson Wallace with 24 points. He also turned in a strong performance overall with five assists, three rebounds, three steals and two blocked shots.
Fellow freshmen Chris Livingston had 13 points and five rebounds. The Wildcats also got 11 points from both Antonio Reeves and Jacob Topping, who also had eight rebounds. Oscar Tshiebwe was held to just seven points and seven rebounds for the game.
The first back was a back-and-forth affair, as the lead changed hands 11 times before Arkansas held on to a 41-40 lead at the break.
However, the Razorbacks (17-7, 6-5) would not surrender the lead.
Anthony Black would start the second half with back-to-back steals and dunks to ignite a quick a 6-0 run that set the tone early in the second half.
The Hogs’ wound up scoring 23 points off of turnovers in the game.
Kentucky would get within six points, but an 8-0 run by the Razorbacks would push their lead to 72-58 with 6:40 left in the game.
Arkansas would maintain a double-digit lead the rest of the game on their way to clinching coach Eric Musselman's 200th collegiate victory.
Arkansas had four other players score in double figures as well. Black scored 19. Davonte Davis and Makhel Mitchell each had 15 and Jordan Walsh chipped in 13 for the Hogs.
Kentucky will be on the road this Saturday, as they face the Georgia Bulldogs in SEC action. Tipoff will be noon ET and the game can be seen on ESPN.
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