WATCH: ERIC MUSSELMAN POSTGAME
Arkansas got out to a 20-2 lead Saturday against Lipscomb and never looked back.
Three different Razorbacks made five three pointers to start out 17-2 over the Lipscomb Bisons. True freshman Jaylin Williams capped off the run with an and-one layup to push the lead to 18.
After a stretch, the Razorbacks gave up some rebounds and scoring, but pushed the lead to 20 at the 5:18 mark thanks to a JD Notae layup. The biggest lead in the first half was 25 thanks to a corner three from Williams at 2:43.
Because of the early lead, Razorback Head Coach Eric Musselman was able to play some players more than usual. All four true freshmen got runs in the first half. Jacksonville native Devontae Davis got more run than normal early and made the most of it. He had two of the Razorbacks’ seven offensive rebounds, three total, and a steal in the first half alone. He finished with four points, three rebounds, an assist, and a steal.
“I thought Devo was really good," Musselman said. "He got a lot of loose balls, he was really active, he’s got a knack to break people down off the bounce.”
Junior forward Ethan Henderson also saw some run early, finishing the first half with three rebounds and two points in his effort.
Williams and fellow true freshman KK Robinson have seen a good amount of playing time this season, but saw the court a lot against the Bisons. Robinson finished with five points and four assists, while Williams added six points and seven rebounds.
Little Rock native Moses Moody rounded out the freshmen production, adding another solid performance to his young career. Saturday’s game against the BIsons was his second consecutive where he led all scorers, this time with 18 points, as well as being the Razorbacks’ second leading rebounder with eight boards.
Musselman said, “I certainly think he [Moses] definitely feels more comfortable. I think that happens when you are a freshman and you are getting to start and getting a lot of minutes, but he’s earned it. We talk to Moses about finishing around the rim because in games one and two he left baskets miss on layups.
“He listens. I go out to practice and he’s already working on his layups. How many people do that when you have a quick conversation with them and say, ‘Hey, this is an area you need to work on to get points on the board after not converting. He worked on it, his shot selection is phenomenal. He’s unselfish. His rebounding, that is a huge factor for us for him to be second on the team in rebounds. He’s playing flawless basketball.”
Cal transfer Connor Vanover came into the game shooting 66.6% from the three point line (6-9) and started off Saturday’s game 2-2. He cooled off a bit, but contributed away from the scoring column with six points, nine rebounds, and four blocks.
The Razorbacks’ biggest lead was 40 in the second half, but the Razorbacks gave up four with the reserves in to win by 36.
“The starters you have to look at the plus/minus,” Musselman said. “Justin Smith plays 18 minutes and we’re plus 32 when he’s in the game. Connor Vanover plays 15 minutes and we’re plus 31 when he’s in the game. Desi played 13 minutes and we’re plus 28. Moses Moody played 24 minutes and we were plus 32 with him.
“And then off the bench those numbers dropped. Sop we’re got to continue to work our bench. In a game like this you want to try to continue to separate. We did not do that off the bench. You can look at the numbers of those guys off the bench. It’s astronomical the starters to start the game and the second half to start the game and then the rest didn’t create separation unless you think 5 to 8 is good enough separation. But it’s not when the other guys are plus 32.”
Lipscomb came into the game with the Atlantic Sun preseason conference player of the year Ahsan Asadullah. At 6-foot-8, 265 pounds, he is a physical force inside, but was limited by the Razorbacks’ interior defense. Asadullah finished with 10 points, six rebounds, and a technical foul.
The Razorbacks travel to Tulsa next to play against the Golden Hurricane without a crowd.
Musselman said, “We didn’t overlook Lipscomb. I’ll have to start looking into our next game when I get home tonight and watch film.”
