FAYETTEVILLE – Makhel Mitchell had a career-high 13 rebounds with seven blocked shots and nine points while Ricky Council IV and Davonte Davis each scored 19 points to lead Arkansas to an 81-70 victory over Texas A&M Tuesday night at Bud Walton Arena.
The win was the third-straight SEC victory for the Razorbacks (15-7, 4-5 SEC) while the Aggies drop to 15-7, 7-2 SEC.
Together, the Mitchell twins (Makhel and Makhi) combined for 15 points, 18 rebounds and 10 blocked shots on what was their 23rd birthday. Makhi had six points, five rebounds and three blocked shots.
The Razorbacks shot 50 percent from the field (28-of-56) while holding the Aggies to 34.2 percent. However, the biggest difference in the game was the bench scoring. Arkansas only played two players off the bench – Jordan Walsh and Jalen Graham – and they combined for 17 points compared to zero bench points by the Aggies.
Arkansas scored first, never trailed and led for 37:03 with A&M tying the game four times – the last coming at 10-10 with 14:14 left in the first half. Arkansas led by as many as 13 (66-53) with 7:52 to play before the Aggies battled back to get to within four (68-64) with 4:10 remaining. Walsh got an offensive rebound and put back to get the Hogs back on track.
Arkansas held Texas A&M to just 1-of-12 from the field over a 3-minute span and regained a double-digit lead (78-67) before A&M hit a 3-pointer with 21 seconds left. The Razorbacks closed out the game with an Anthony Black free throw and a Davis dunk at the buzzer to provide the 11-point win.
Davis tied a career-high making four 3-pointers (4-of-8), Council had six rebounds and Anthony Black contributed 11 points, seven assists with five rebounds.
Henry Coleman III and Wade Taylor IV each scored 18 points and Tyrece Radford had 17. Coleman added 15 rebounds, including seven offensive, as the Aggies pulled down 24 offensive boards.
Arkansas will play the first of consecutive road games on Saturday (Feb. 4) at South Carolina. Tipoff is set for 2:30 pm (CT) and the game will be televised on SEC Network.
