Ellis has big 2nd half as No. 14 Arkansas holds off Old Dominion 86-77

Tue, Nov 14, 2023
NCAAB News (AP)

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) - El Ellis scored 15 of his 17 points in the second half, and No. 14 Arkansas held off Old Dominion 86-77 on Monday night.

With the Razorbacks (3-0) leading by five points midway through the second half, Ellis scored on a breakaway layup and followed with another after a crossover that left his defender flat-footed. That burst ended the first of several modest rallies by the Monarchs (1-2).

Devo Davis scored a season-high 16 points for Arkansas, Makhi Mitchell had 15 points and 10 rebounds, Khalif Battle scored 13 points and Trevon Brazile scored 11.

Chaunce Jenkins scored 21 points for Old Dominion, which went 11 of 24 on 3-pointers and got within three points in the second half. A late 8-0 run by Arkansas gave the Razorbacks enough cushion to get through the closing minutes.

Other news Ivy League Penn gets 22 points from Tyler Perkins in 76-72 win over No. 21 Villanova at the Palestra No. 12 Miami rallies from 2nd-half deficit, then holds off crosstown rival FIU 86-80 No. 3 Arizona jumps 9 places in AP Top 25 behind Kansas, Purdue; James Madison ranked for first time

Devin Ceaser added 18 points on 8-of-12 shooting for the Monarchs, and R.J. Blakney scored 14 points, going 3 of 4 on 3s.

BIG PICTURE

Arkansas wasn't as sharp as it had been in its first two games and one of last year's biggest issues - defending the 3-pointer - was once again a problem for coach Eric Musselman's squad.

UP NEXT

Old Dominion doesn't play again until Nov. 22, when it hosts Princeton.

Arkansas hosts UNC-Greensboro on Friday.

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AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball