Razorbacks unable to silence Gamecocks

COLUMBIA, S.C.  –  Junior Marshawn Powell led the University of Arkansas basketball team with a game-high 22 points and a career-high 13 rebounds in the Razorbacks’ 75-54 loss to the South Carolina Gamecocks at Colonial Life Arena on Saturday afternoon.

            Powell was the Razorbacks’ leader on both sides of the ball, as his 22 points and 13 boards were both game-highs. Powell also recorded a game-high three blocks and one steal to assist Arkansas’ defensive effort. Junior Rickey Scott finished the game with nine points off 3-of-9 shooting.

            “It was a tough day at the office today,” Arkansas head coach Mike Anderson said.  “South Carolina did what they had to do.  We didn’t shoot well and didn’t rebound well and they were a little bit tougher.  You have to score on the road and you have to have good ball movement, and I thought that we settled for jump shots.”

            Arkansas forced 18 Gamecock turnovers, while committing just nine of their own and was also able to capitalize on the 18 forced turnovers with 26 points. Arkansas was also credited with 10 steals.

            The Razorbacks got off to a swift start going up 15-3 over the Gamecocks by the 15:29 mark in the first, Scott hit a long three-pointer to give Arkansas a 12-point lead. The Gamecocks responded in a big way scoring 40 points in the final 15 minutes of the half and holding Arkansas to just 11. The Razorbacks entered the locker room with a 17-point deficit. The Gamecocks went 7-of-10 from beyond the arc in the first half and were shooting 58.6 percent from the field.

            Powell led the Razorbacks with nine points in the first and a game-high six rebounds. Scott also chipped in eight first-half points.

            In the second half, Arkansas began to make a run at South Carolina, as Powell went on a 4-0 run to shorten the Gamecock lead to 14, but Arkansas would be unable to halt the potent Gamecock offense that was shooting an impressive 57 percent from the field. The Gamecocks would lengthen their lead to close out the game.

The Razorbacks continue play on the road as they travel to Tuscaloosa, Ala., to face the Alabama Crimson Tide on Thursday, Jan. 31, at 8 p.m. on ESPN2.