What a wild ride for Arkansas basketball fans as the Hogs held off South Carolina to get past the first round in the SEC tournament. They put together an elite first half, but a massive scoring drought allowed the Gamecocks to make it a nail-biter.
Four players ended the game in double figures, but it was Jonas Aidoo and Trevon Brazile who stood out the most. D.J. Wagner and Johnell Davis also played well but were more inconsistent in the second half. Billy Richmond has developed into a great role player for the Hogs and continues to make a name for himself.
Box Score Analysis - South Carolina vs. Arkansas
Elite First Half
The Razorbacks had an incredible first half, scoring 47 points, a season high against SEC competition. Jonas Aidoo led the team with 14 points and eight rebounds in the first with a plus/minus of +20. Four players scored eight or more points, and the team shot 56.8% from the field. The Hogs finished the first half on an 11-0 run, giving them a 17-point lead heading into halftime.
Second Half Scoring Drought
Scoring droughts continue to be an issue for the Razorbacks, as they allowed the Gamecocks to come back from a 20-point deficit. From 14:18 to 2:37 left on the clock, Arkansas failed to score a basket, including zero points in almost eight minutes. Between Ivisic's nagging injury, foul calls, fatigue, and lack of offensive movement, the Razorbacks could not find a rhythm in those 12 minutes. They will need to minimize their scoring woes over the next couple of weeks if they want to advance in the SEC and NCAA tournaments.
Jonas Aidoo and Trevon Brazile
Jonas Aidoo and Trevon Brazile continue their stellar play at just the right time. Aidoo had an incredible first half, and Brazile was consistently effective in both halves. They combined for 30 points and 18 rebounds, and Brazile led the team with four steals. Their efforts on both ends of the floor will be key for Arkansas throughout the tournament.