Menifield's Career-High Powers Big Razorback Offensive Showing

Arkansas uses 32 from Menifield, five players in double figures in the final tuneup

Author:
Daniel Shi
Publish date:
Dec 30, 2023 7:56 PM EST

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas finally put together a clean second half with no drama in one of the best performances in the past month and a season-high in points scored. The Razorbacks shot 52% from the floor en route to a 106-90 win over UNC Wilmington on Saturday afternoon at Bud Walton Arena.

Keyon Menefield led all scorers with a career-high, hitting 30 points as the Razorbacks committed just two turnovers in the second half and used an 18-6 run across six minutes. The Seahawks went nearly nine minutes with just one field goal, as the Hogs clamped down on its opposition in the final tuneup before conference play.

"It was a good way to end the non-conference," coach Eric Musselman said. "Obviously we see the impact that Keyon can have, and we’re a different team with his energy out there and his basketball IQ."

Tramon Mark fired in a wing triple with 4:59 left to fight off a valiant effort from UNC-Wilmington, Mark scored 14 of his 18 points in the second half.

Arkansas let its intentions well known from the jump attacking a smaller UNC-Wilmington Seahawks team in the paint. The Razorbacks scored 16 of its first 20 points in the paint.

The Seahawks showed no fear already coming into the game with an SEC road win against Kentucky and used four triples to take a 26-20 lead including two from KJ Jenkins.

The Razorbacks looked to be forced into high gear capping a 7-0 run with a Trevon Brazile alley-oop dunk to wrestle back control.

Davonte "Devo" Davis, having made only seven triples the entire season coming into the year made three triples in the first half with 11 points in the opening stanza.

The Seahawks hung with the Hogs blow for blow until Menifield sent the Razorbacks offense into overdrive. Menifield made his first two three-pointers of the season as part of his 17 first-half points. In a half where the Hogs had brief lapses of concentration, allowing the undersized Seahawks eight offensive rebounds, Menifield was having none of it. He followed his own miss on the final possession of the half and split a pair of free throws to give Arkansas a 48-42 lead at the break.

"It felt good," Menifield said after the game. "Getting back to myself from my third game in just play my game, let it come to me. If it was scoring or getting my teammates involved. I just did what I had to do to get the win."

Khalif Battle sprained his ankle after missing a dunk in the opening half and did not return, however, he was available to come off the bench if needed in the second half.

The Hogs used the free throw line to its advantage in the second half and entered the bonus with 14:22 left in the second half. The Hogs finished the day 33-for-43 from the line as the game featured 77 combined free throws.

Four straight second-chance points from Mark pushed the lead up to 15 and the Hogs never looked back.

The Razorbacks finally showed the heart and hustle that had plagued the team for so long. The Razorbacks outscored the Seahawks 50-30 in the paint and outrebounded the Seahawks 40-35.

All of this bodes well as the calendar turns to 2024. The Razorbacks take on Auburn 1 p.m. Jan. 6 inside Bud Walton Arena. The game will be broadcast on ESPN2 and fuboTV.