Pittman discusses “Polar Express,” job security, and injuries in the Razorback football update

In an 86-77 nonconference victory in Fayetteville, Arkansas, No. 14 Arkansas defeated Old Dominion on Monday night thanks to 17 points and eight assists from El Ellis.

The Razorbacks (3-0) were led by Davonte Davis, who scored 16 points. Makhi Mitchell added a double-double with 10 rebounds and 15 points. Trevon Brazile added 11 points, and Khalif Battle scored 13 points after coming off the bench.

The Monarchs (1-2) were led in scoring by Chaunce Jenkins, who finished with a game-high 21 points. Devin Ceaser and R.J. Blakney each contributed 18 and 14 points. To stay in the game for forty minutes, Old Dominion made 11 of 24 3-pointers and scored 21 fastbreak points.

However, Arkansas was marginally superior; they only committed four turnovers and had an 18–5 lead in points off turnovers. It also had an 18–4 advantage over the Monarchs at the foul line, with 29 free throws made compared to the visitors’ five.

A 3-pointer by Bryce Baker at the 14:31 minute brought Old Dominion within 49-46. With 5:06 remaining, Battle’s two foul shots gave the Razorbacks their largest lead yet, 79-65, but twice in the final four minutes, the Monarchs closed the gap to six points.

The defense of Arkansas was the early plot. It gave the offense some breathing room as it battled the Monarchs’ defense early on, allowing just five points in the first 6 1/2 minutes to strangle Old Dominion. At the second TV timeout, more than nine and a half minutes into the match, the score was just 15-9.

After that, the Razorbacks started to get into a groove, and Mitchell’s free throw at the 6:46 mark of the half gave them a 25-11 advantage. After that, finally able to make shots, Old Dominion fought its way back into the game.

With 3:53 remaining, Jenkins drained a 3-pointer to get the Monarchs within 29-22. They then gained momentum heading into the locker room when Jenkins found Blakney for a 3-pointer at the buzzer to reduce their deficit to 37-31.