Razorbacks Take Over Late Against LSU in Final Home Game
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — In the home finale, Arkansas enacted revenge over the LSU Tigers on senior day with standout performances from graduate El Ellis and Khalif Battle, combining for 45 points.
"Our team has gotten better," coach Eric Musselman said. I know we played really poorly for an 8-and-a-half minute stretch against Vanderbilt. But other than that, even some of the games we’ve lost, Mississippi State, Kentucky, two road games, two road environments. This basketball team is playing as good if not better than at any time all season."
The Razorbacks defeated LSU 94-83 after the Tigers beat the Hogs in Baton Rouge earlier this year. Fellow senior Makhi Mitchell finished with 19 points on 8-for-10 shooting.
With LSU trying to mount one last stand down 10 with just over two minutes left, Battle casually dribbled around to the top of the key and drained a three from the top of the key as the shot clock expired to put the game on ice.
"The guys that are playing are more confident," Battle said. "Everybody’s playing harder for each other. And we won win. We didn’t know what being a Razorback was until you get here. It’s a different level of competing."
Arkansas Razorbacks' guard Khalif Battle drives inside for part of his 29 points against LSU Tigers' Jordan Wright in a 94-83 win on Wednesday night at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, Ark.
Andy Hodges / allHOGS Images
Despite forcing five LSU turnovers in just over 5 minutes to start the game, the Razorbacks were unable to create separation as LSU used second-chance points inside to stay close. Ellis hit the game's first three to put Arkansas up 20-13 midway through the first half.
Arkansas used the free throw line and efficient shooting to open up a lead against the Tigers. Battle continued to get to the free throw line at will. It was the fifth straight game that the Temple transfer had at least 10 free-throw attempts. Over the five games, Battle is 58-for-63 (92.1%).
"I’ve never been a part of that personally when another teammate scores 30 back-to-back-to-back-to-back," Jeremiah Davenport said. "It’s so amazing to see."
Although the Hogs were outshooting the Tigers 61% to 42% from the floor at halftime, LSU used eight offensive rebounds to garner 13 second-chance points to stay within striking distance, 42-35 after 20 minutes.
One of the other honorees for senior day, Chandler Lawson, had not scored seven points in a game since scoring nine against Abilene Christian Dec. 21. He provided the Razorbacks with a quick burst with all seven of his points
LSU entered the bonus with over 11 minutes left in the game and cut the lead down to four, a quick 7-0 run highlighted by a Battle transition corner three stretched the lead back to 11, 67-56, but LSU responded with a 6-0 run to cut the lead right back to 67-62 before a 13-5 spurt finished the game and ended the 2024 home slate on a high note
The regular season concludes on the road against Alabama 11 a.m. Saturday. The game will be on ESPN and fuboTV.
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