Fayetteville, AR – The Arkansas Razorbacks men’s basketball team claimed a hard-fought 65-49 victory over the Troy Trojans at Bud Walton Arena. Despite a sluggish start that saw them trailing 27-26 at halftime, Arkansas found their rhythm in the second half, thanks to improved shooting and a stifling defense that shut down Troy’s offensive efforts.
First Half Challenges and a Close Score
The Razorbacks struggled early on, with shooting difficulties keeping the game close.
“We had a tough time finding our shot in the first half,” Coach John Calipari noted post-game. “But the guys showed resilience, and we knew if we stuck with our game plan, the shots would start falling.”
Arkansas finished the first half down by one point, setting up a pivotal second half.
Second Half Breakthrough: Key Performances from Ivisic and Thiero
Arkansas turned things around after halftime, shooting an impressive 14 of 22 from the field, including eight three-pointers. Zvonimir Ivisic was instrumental in this rally, coming off the bench to score 19 points while shooting 6-of-7 from beyond the arc. His performance broke Arkansas out of a recent three-point shooting slump, sparking the offense and electrifying the crowd.
“Z [Ivisic] was huge for us tonight,” Calipari said. “Not only did he give us those big threes, but he also stepped up on defense when we needed it.”
Alongside Ivisic, Adou Thiero added 19 points, consistently driving to the basket and setting the tone for Arkansas’ second-half push. Boogie Fland also chipped in with crucial plays, including a three-pointer off a steal, adding to the Razorbacks’ momentum.
Defensive Dominance and Turnovers Create Separation
Arkansas’ defense took over in the second half, holding Troy to just 22 points and forcing 24 turnovers.
“Our defense really came alive after halftime,” Calipari emphasized. “We got into passing lanes, we were aggressive on the boards, and that allowed us to play at our pace.”
The defensive pressure prevented Troy from finding their footing, allowing Arkansas to extend their lead and control the game’s tempo.
Post-Game Reflections and Looking Forward
Reflecting on the victory, Calipari praised his team’s determination, saying,
“We’ve been working on our resilience and mental toughness, and tonight was proof of that progress.”
Ivisic, the standout performer, commented on his shooting touch:
“I felt good out there, and my teammates kept finding me in the right spots. This win gives us confidence as we keep improving.”
With this win, Arkansas looks ahead to their next matchup, aiming to build on their defensive intensity and shooting efficiency.
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