FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) — Davonte Davis and Ricky Council IV scored 19 points apiece and Arkansas never trailed in an 81-70 victory over Texas A&M on Tuesday night.
Davis sank 4 of 8 shots from 3-point range for the Razorbacks (15-7, 4-5 Southeastern Conference). Council added six rebounds and four assists. Jordan Walsh had 12 points and seven rebounds off the bench. Anthony Black pitched in with 11 points, seven assists and five boards. Makhel Mitchell totaled nine points, 13 rebounds and a season-high seven blocks — one off his career high.
Henry Coleman III and Wade Taylor IV both scored 18 to lead the Aggies (15-7, 7-2), who have won just one game in the last 35 years on Arkansas’ home floor. Coleman added 15 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the season, and four steals. Tyrece Radford contributed 17 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
Council had 11 points and Arkansas took a 42-34 lead into halftime. The game was tied three times early. Davis sank a 3-pointer to give the Razorbacks a 13-10 lead with 13:45 remaining and they never trailed again.
Mitchell and Council hit back-to-back baskets to open the second half and the Razorbacks pushed their lead to double digits.
Radford sank a 3-pointer to pull the Aggies within 52-47 with 12:37 left to play. Davis answered with a 3-pointer, Walsh connected from beyond the arc and Davis added a layup to cap an 8-2 run for a 60-49 advantage with just under 11 minutes remaining.
Davis buried a 3-pointer at the 7:52 mark to put Arkansas up 66-53. It marked the Aggies’ biggest deficit in a SEC game this season. Texas A&M used five free throws, a three-point play by Coleman and a layup by Dexter Dennis in an 11-2 run to get within 68-64 with 4:10 left to play
Walsh scored off a rebound to give Arkansas a two-possession advantage with 3:45 to go and then both teams went scoreless until Council sank two free throws for a 72-64 lead with 1:36 remaining. Wade Taylor IV answered with a 3-pointer for the Aggies, but Arkansas made 7 of 12 free throws from there to preserve the win.
Texas A&M, which came in making an average of 18.7 free throws per game — second in the nation, made just 14 of 24.
Arkansas has a 108-58 series lead against the Aggies, its most common opponent.
UP NEXT
Arkansas: The Razorbacks travel to play South Carolina on Saturday.
Texas A&M: The Aggies return home to host Georgia on Saturday.
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