FAYETTEVILLE — Eric Musselman is taking an “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” approach to the Arkansas vs South Carolina game Saturday afternoon.
After reverting back to their original starting lineup and picking up their first SEC win of the season earlier in the week, the Razorbacks are once again using a starting lineup with El Ellis and Chandler Lawson.
Combined with lineup mainstays Davonte Davis, Tramon Mark and Trevon Brazile, the five-man combination has posted a 4-1 record when used as the starting lineup — a trend Musselman hopes to continue in the noon CT tipoff against the Gamecocks.
Follow along below for updates, highlights and stats from the game…
(READ NEXT: Check out our in-depth preview of the Arkansas vs South Carolina matchup)
LIVE UPDATES — Arkansas vs South Carolina
14:10, 1H – South Carolina 13, Arkansas 6
It’s been a sluggish start offensively for Arkansas, which is having a hard time consistently getting good looks. The Hogs are just 3 of 8, which a few misses coming late in the shot clock. The Gamecocks, meanwhile, are 4 of 7 from the floor, including 2 of 3 from deep.
11:37, 1H – South Carolina 17, Arkansas 10
Five different Hogs have scored two point apiece. Layden Blocker isn’t one of them, but he did check in and get some early run. Khalif Battle, after not playing at all against Texas A&M, will check in after the media timeout.
6:41, 1H – South Carolina 27, Arkansas 19
B.J. Mack came into today shooting just 29.7% from deep this season, but he’s 3 of 3 on those shots so far vs. Arkansas. He’s got 10 points for the Gamecocks. The last of those 3s prompted Musselman to angrily call a timeout. On the bright side, Battle did knock down a 3 for the Hogs.
3:34, 1H – South Carolina 33, Arkansas 23
Musselman ended up calling another timeout just 29 seconds later, which has to be a first. He is not happy with his team’s defense, which is understandable. The Gamecocks are shooting 44.0% (11 of 25) from the floor, but are 5 of 10 deep. They’re also plus-8 on the boards, with six offensive rebounds. Musselman is so unhappy that he inserted Denijay Harris, who is the 12th different Hog to see the floor.
HALF – South Carolina 39, Arkansas 27
Arkansas had a chance to cut the deficit to 10, or even single digits, in the closing seconds, but an offensive foul resulted in a turnover. Simply put, it was an atrocious first half for the Hogs.
18:35, 2H – South Carolina 41, Arkansas 29
The Gamecocks have to burn a timeout when they can’t get the ball in from under their own basket. So far, the Gamecocks’ lone bucket this half came when two different Razorbacks were fighting for a rebound and the ball ended up in a South Carolina player’s hands. The rebounding margin is now 26-12 in favor of South Carolina.
15:55, 2H – South Carolina 45, Arkansas 33
El Ellis made a nice move for a layup that cut the deficit to 10 and got the Bud Walton crowd on its feet, but the Hogs promptly gave up a layup and then turned it over. This one feels like a foregone conclusion at this point.
12:52, 2H – South Carolina 49, Arkansas 42
The Hogs appeared to be dead to rights, but Tramon Mark knocked down back-to-back 3s and they’re back within seven. That prompted a South Carolina timeout.
11:38, 2H – South Carolina 54, Arkansas 42
The timeout worked perfectly for the Gamecocks, who answered the mini-run with a 3-pointer and layup to push their lead back to 12.
7:25, 2H – South Carolina 64, Arkansas 47
South Carolina extended its lead to 19 with an 8-0 run and seems to be in firm control of the game.
FINAL – South Carolina 77, Arkansas 64
Joseph Pinion scored with a few seconds left, but it was pointless. Arkansas trailed by double digits for nearly the entire second half.
FINAL STATS
HALFTIME STATS
Starting Lineups
| South Carolina Basketball | Arkansas Basketball |
|---|---|
| #5 – Meechie Johnson – G | #3 – El Ellis – G |
| #12 – Zachary Davis – G | #4 – Davonte Davis – G |
| #55 – Ta’lon Cooper – G | #12 – Tramon Mark – G |
| #2 – B.J. Mack – F | #2 – Trevon Brazile – F |
| #30 – Collin Murray-Boyles – F | #8 – Chandler Lawson – F |
How to Watch Arkansas vs South Carolina
Date: Saturday, Jan. 20
Location: Bud Walton Arena (Fayetteville, Ark.)
Tipoff Time/TV: Noon CT (SEC Network)
ESPN BPI: Arkansas has a 64.4% chance to win, favored by 3.8 points.
Odds/Betting Line: Arkansas, -2.5 | O/U 140.5
SEC Basketball Standings
| Team | SEC Record | Overall Record |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Auburn | 4-0 | 15-2 |
| 1. Alabama | 4-0 | 12-5 |
| 3. Kentucky | 3-1 | 13-3 |
| 3. Tennessee | 3-1 | 13-4 |
| 3. Georgia | 3-1 | 13-4 |
| 3. LSU | 3-1 | 11-6 |
| 7. Ole Miss | 2-2 | 15-2 |
| 7. South Carolina | 2-2 | 14-3 |
| 9. Mississippi State | 1-3 | 12-5 |
| 9. Florida | 1-3 | 11-6 |
| 9. Arkansas | 1-3 | 10-7 |
| 9. Texas A&M | 1-3 | 10-7 |
| 13. Missouri | 0-4 | 8-9 |
| 13. Vanderbilt | 0-4 | 5-12 |
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