Arkansas holds off Old Dominion

FAYETTEVILLE – Makhi Mitchell had his 11th career double-double – third as a Razorback – with 15 points and 10 rebounds while El Ellis and Davonte Davis scored 17 and 16 points, respectively, to lead #14 Arkansas to an 86-77 victory over Old Dominion Monday night at Bud Walton Arena.

Ellis, who scored 15 of his 17 points in the second half, added eight assists with zero turnovers.

 The Razorbacks were down early, but broke a 5-5 tie with 15:30 left in the first half and held the lead the rest of the game, including a 14-point cushion (25-11) with 6:46 left in the first half. Arkansas also led by 14 (79-65) with 5:06 left in the game but went on an 8-0 run to get to within six with 3:42 left.

 The Monarchs were just 3-of-11 from 3-point range in the first half but made 5 of its first 6 to start the second half and finished the period 8-of-13 from deep.

 Old Dominion got to within six (83-77) with 1:078 left but Trevon Brazile his one free throw and Tramon Mark sank two to provide the 86-77 final.

 Brazile had 11 points and four blocked shots and Khalif Battle scored 13 off the bench.

 ODU was led by Chaunce Jenkins’ 21 points. He was just 2-of-9 from the field in the first half but heated up in the second half, making 6-of-10 shots.

 Arkansas closes its four-game homestand this Friday versus UNC Greensboro. Tipoff at Bud Walton Arena is set for 7 pm and the game will be broadcast on SEC Network Plus.

 HIGHLIGHTS:

• For the third straight game, Arkansas starters were El Ellis, Davonte Davis, Tramon Mark, Trevon Brazile and Chandler Lawson.
• Arkansas controlled the tip to start the game.
• ODU’s Chaunce Jenkins scored the game’s first points at 19:04. El Ellis scored Arkansas’ first points at 17:02.
• Makhi Mitchell and Khalif Battle were the first Razorback subs.
• This was the first meeting between Arkansas and Old Dominion.
• Mitchell’s 15 points tied his best point production as a Razorback and it was his 15th career game with double-digit rebounds.
• Arkansas only committed four turnovers. It was the fewest by the Hogs since committing four versus Georgia on Jan. 29, 2019, and the fewest by a Musselman team at Arkansas.
• Arkansas was 18-of-29 at the line while ODU was just 4-of-5.
• Eric Musselman is two wins shy of 100 for his career at Arkansas.
• Davonte Davis is 34 points shy of 1,000 for his career.