Arkansas played its second game of the Europe tour Thursday against Catalan Elite at Pavelló Poliesportiu Municipal de Tiana in Barcelona, Spain. After a sluggish and sloppy start, the Razorbacks settled in.
The Hogs actually faced a deficit for much of the first half before fighting back and leading by six at the half. In the second half, Arkansas proved to be too much for the Catalan Elite with speed in transition and extending possessions with rebounds.
Freshman sensation Nick Smith Jr. led the way in scoring with 17 points again. Senior forward Kamani Johnson was impressive again, nearly posting a double-double with 8 points and 11 rebounds.
The scoring was fairly spread out as the Razorbacks limited their rotation for this game. Five players finished in double digits scoring: Smith, Trevon Brazile, Jordan Walsh, Ricky Council, and Davonte Davis.
(Stats unofficial per HawgBeat member PorkshankRedemption)
Below is a rundown of the full game that was streamed on FloHoops:
Game 1 details:
The Hogs dominated Valencia Seleccion 107-59 on Tuesday in the first game of their Europe tour.
Press Conference - Eric Musselman, Nick Smith Jr., Trevon Brazile
Pregame
The Hogs visited Olympic Stadium and did an outdoor walkthrough in Barcelona.
Arkansas starting five:
Nick Smith Jr. - Freshman guard
Davonte Davis - Junior guard
Jordan Walsh - Freshman guard/forward
Jalen Graham - Senior forward
Makhel Mitchell - Senior forward/center
First Quarter:
Makhel Mitchell won the tip for Arkansas and Nick Smith Jr. immediately turned the ball over and it resulted in a transition layup for Catalan Elite.
Another layup by Catalan Elite was followed up Arkansas' first points on a slam dunk for Makhi Mitchell that made it a 4-2 game.
After another turnover by the Hogs, Catalan Elite converted another layup to take a four-point lead. Freshman Anthony Black turned the ball over around mid-court on the next Razorback possession and Catalan Elite sank a three to take a 9-2 lead.
Wichita State transfer Ricky Council IV sank two free throws to cut the Arkansas deficit to five points.
On the ensuing possession, Catalan Elite sank another 3-pointer to make it a 12-4 advantage.
Council went up and sank a mid-range jumper for the Hogs to trim the Catalan Elite lead to six. Trevon Brazile laid a show off the glass to make it a 12-8 game.
Catalan Elite made one of two free throws on the other end to make it a five-point lead. They followed it up with a layup on the next possession to make it 15-8.
Razorback freshman Barry Dunning Jr. hit a mid-range jumper to give Arkansas double-digit points. On the next Arkansas possession, Dunning found Kamani Johnson down low, and he was fouled on the shot. Johnson hit both shots to make it a 15-12 Catalan Elite lead.
After a missed shot by Catalan Elite, Dunning took a pass from Davonte Davis and drove to his left for a layup that made it a one-point deficit. Catalan Elite hit two free throws to make it 17-14.
*FloHoops crashed after this, so it is unclear what happened and what the score was for the remainder of the quarter*
END OF FIRST QUARTER: Catalan Elite 24, Arkansas 20
Second Quarter:
Catalan Elite opened the second quarter by going to the free throw line and hitting one of two shots.
On the next Razorback possession, Council hit a wide-open three to make it 25-23. Catalan hit a shot on the next possession, but Brazile countered with a layup and drew a foul. He missed the free throw, but the bucket cut the lead to two.
Brazile hit a smooth layup to tie it at 27-27 at the 8:05 mark in the quarter.
Catalan Elite hit a pair of free throws on the other end and Razorback freshman Jordan Walsh drew a foul of his own, but hit just one of two shots to make it a 28-28 tie. Dunning stole a pass from the inbounds and scored, giving the Razorbacks their first lead of the game, 30-28.
Back on defense Walsh fouled a Catalan Elite player, who tied the game 30-30 after making two free throws. The next possession the Elite scored on the inside off a behind the head pass from a driving guard. The Razorbacks went down the court and fed the ball to Kamani Johnson, who was fouled and made two free throws, tying the game at 32.
Back and forth as Catalon Elite hit a jumpshot and Smith scored in the paint.
Council drove the paint and got fouled on a layup attempt. He missed both free throws, but secured the offensive rebound and kicked it out to Smith for three. Arkansas with a 37-34 lead.
An open three in transition for the Catalan Elite tied the game again. A drive and dish from Black to Walsh gave the Razorbacks back the lead yet again, 39 to 37. The ensuing possession, Black threw an alley-oop to Walsh over a Catalan Elite defender for a slam. The Elite called a timeout with the Hogs up 41-37 with 2:51 remaining in the second quarter.
Walsh with an offensive rebound and putback. Hogs lead 43-37.
*FloHoops crashed after this, so it is unclear what happened and what the score was for the remainder of the quarter*
END OF SECOND QUARTER: Catalan Elite 43, Arkansas 49
Third Quarter:
Walsh fouled and hits one of two free throws to lead 50-43.
Smith with an open corner three. 53-43 Hogs.
Catalan Elite hit a runner in the paint. Council gets fouled driving to the bucket and makes one of two free throws. 54-45 Arkansas.
Smith with a step-back three-point jumper. Black with a floater in the paint. 59-45 Arkansas.
Elite got fouled and made one of two free throws to cut the deficit to 13.
Smith with another three to expand the Arkansas lead 62-46.
Catalan Elite in the bonus and make two free throws after a foul. Arkansas leads 62-48.
Brazile finishes at the rim off a lob from Davis.
Elite made one of two free throws after a foul. 64-49 Arkansas.
Open corner three from the Catalan Elite make it a twelve point Arkansas lead. Next possession a behind the back pass in the paint for an open layup for the Elite. 64-54 Arkansas.
Transition bucket for the Catalan Elite. 64-56 Arkansas.
Davis with an offensive rebound and putback. 66-56 Arkansas.
Davis gets fouled driving to the lane and made both free throws. Catalan Elite came back down and finished inside. 68-58 Arkansas.
Smith with a fastbreak layup to end the third quarter.
END OF THIRD QUARTER: Catalan Elite 58, Arkansas 70
Fourth Quarter:
Three pointer good by Catalan Elite. Johnson with a finish inside on the subsequent Razorback possession.
Dunning takes it to the cup and finishes with ease. 74-61 Razorbacks.
Three pointer good by Catalan Elite. Johnson with an offensive rebound, missed putback, grabbed his own miss, and then got fouled. He made both free throws, giving Arkansas a 76-64 lead.
Johnson finishes inside and then Brazile comes back and finishes through traffic. 80-66 Arkansas. Brazile called for a technical after his finish through contact.
Timeout with 7:10 left in the fourth.
Catalan Elite make their free throw from the technical and get the ball back.
Brazile blocked a shot at the rim and pushed it forward to Davis for a fast break dunk. Catalan Elite answered with a bucket at the rim, followed by another Brazile layup. 84-69 Arkansas.
Long two is good for the Elite.
Black penetrates and finishes with a floater in traffic.
Council with the finish at the rim after Johnson saved an offensive rebound, followed by a Catalan Elite three. 88-74 Arkansas.
Davis with a long three. 91-74 Arkansas.
Catalan Elite fouled inside. They made both free throws.
Another bucket for Arkansas (didn't catch who). Then a block by Brazile on the other end.
Three pointer good by Catalan Elite. 93-79 Arkansas.
Transition layup by the Elite. Davis with a reverse layup on the following possession, then another Elite layup. 95-83 Arkansas.
Davis offensive rebound and finish. Then another layup for Davis the next possession.
Foul on Arkansas with 0:01 remaining. Catalan Elite make both free throws.
FINAL: Catalan Elite 86, Arkansas 99
