TULSA, Okla. – Arkansas closed the first half with a 12-4 run, opened the second half with an 11-2 spurt and never looked back in an 88-78 win over Oklahoma Saturday afternoon in the second annual Crimson and Cardinal Classic, played at the BOK Center.
The #9/8 Razorbacks improve to 9-1 while the Sooners fall to 7-3. The teams have split the two-game, neutral-site series to date with the designated home team winning each year.
Ricky Council IV scored a game-high 26 points, including 17 in the first half. He and Davonte Davis, who had a steal and two free throws with 5.1 seconds left before the break, sparked the run to end the first half.
Arkansas missed its first two shots of the second half before making eight straight to take a 60-48 lead.
Oklahoma got to within nine (73-68) with 4:47 left after a Tanner Groves 3-pointer. However, Jordan Walsh answered with a triple of his own. The Sooners made a couple more 3’s inside the final 1:30 to get to within nine twice.
With 1:05 left, Kamani Johnson helped put the game out of reach. After Davonte Davis missed the second of two free throws, Walsh had a putback attempt miss but Johnson was there to tip the ball in to put the Hogs up 12.
Nick Smith Jr., finished with 21 points. Walsh tied his season high with 12 points, making two triples, and Makhi Mitchell added 10 points with six rebounds and a season-high four assists. Anthony Black and Council each had five assists.
Grant Sherfield led Oklahoma with 23 points while Milos Urzan and Jalen Hill added 15 and 11, respectively.
Arkansas will take a week off due to final exams and returns to action Saturday (Dec. 17) for its annual trip to North Little Rock to host Bradley at Simmons Bank Arena. Tipoff is set for 3 pm (CT).