Battle scores 29, sparks Arkansas to 94-83 victory over LSU

Published Mar. 6, 2024 9:30 p.m. ET

Associated Press

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) — Khalif Battle finished one shy of topping 30 points for a fourth straight game and Arkansas cruised to a 94-83 victory over LSU on Wednesday night.

Battle made 7 of 14 shots with two 3-pointers and 13 of 14 free throws for the Razorbacks (15-15, 6-11 Southeastern Conference). He added four rebounds and blocked three shots.

Battle set a school record with 112 points over a three-game span. He scored 42 against Missouri, 36 against Vanderbilt and 34 at No. 16 Kentucky last time out. He made 45 of 49 foul shots in the three previous games. Battle and Mason Jones (2020) are the only Razorbacks to score at least 30 three games in a row.

Makhi Mitchell came off the bench to score 19 on 8-for-10 shooting for Arkansas, adding eight rebounds and three blocks. El Ellis finished with 16 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals. Tramon Mark totaled nine points, eight rebounds and five assists before fouling out.

Jordan Wright made all 10 of his free throws and scored 24 to lead the Tigers (16-14, 8-9), who had won four of their previous five games. Tyrell Ward had 19 points and five rebounds. Trae Hannibal and Derek Fountain both scored 10 with Hannibal grabbing 10 rebounds.

Battle had 10 points to help Arkansas take a 42-35 lead into halftime. Both teams made 14 baskets with two 3-pointers before the break, but the Razorbacks sank 12 of 14 from the free-throw line and the Tigers hit 5 of 7.

Chandler Lawson's three-point play gave the Razorbacks a 48-37 lead just 1:22 into the second half. The Tigers whittled away, closing within 60-56 when Hannibal made the first of two free throws with 11:34 remaining. Mitchell answered with two foul shots and a layup and Battle nailed a 3-pointer to push Arkansas' lead back to 11.

LSU twice cut its deficit to five, the last at 69-64 on Wright's layup with 6:55 left to play. Mitchell scored the first four in a 6-2 spurt to get the lead back to double digits and Arkansas cruised from there. The Razorbacks trailed just once in the contest, 7-6.

Arkansas leads the all-time series 43-36, including a 24-8 mark at home. LSU beat Arkansas 95-74 at home earlier this season.

LSU will close out the regular season at home against Missouri on Saturday. Arkansas will play its finale on the road against No. 16 Alabama on Saturday.

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