Isaiah Joe’s Big Night Leads Arkansas Over Missouri

Isaiah Joe had a rough start to SEC play, lately he had been shooting better but against Missouri he launched out of that slump. He hit seven shots from distance and some key ones late to lift the Hogs past Missouri 72-60.

Joe lead the way with 23 points while shooting above 50% from the field. Daniel Gafford pitched in a double-double with 13 points and 10 boards. Jalen Harris was the third Hog in double figures with 10 points and six assists with zero turnovers.

The dreadful starts have become a worrying trend and this one was especially dreadful. The Hogs started 1/12 from the field and were down 14-2 after going nearly eight full minutes without scoring. After a couple fell the Hogs got into more of a rhythm. They shot 10/18 in the final minutes in the half and briefly took a lead thanks to Keyshawn Embery-Simpson before things ended up with Mizzou leading 34-32 at the half.

Arkansas got off to a quick start with a 9-3 run, all from triples. They led for a good portion of the second half with some much better shooting, especially from Joe.

Arkansas couldn’t get a big enough lead and Missouri couldn’t string enough possessions together to go on a run of their own. Turnovers by both teams attributed to that. Missouri ended with 24 and the Hogs had 14 of their own. Although the Hogs didn’t have any in the final 6+ minutes and that allowed them to go on a run late.

The Hogs led 60-59 when they went on a huge 10-0 to decide things. Daniel Gafford got a layup late in the shot clock, then a couple huge three’s from Joe finished things off.

Arkansas is in the middle of a rough stretch in the schedule and this was the one game that wasn’t against a team that was either ranked or knocking on the top-25’s door. So this was an absolute must win for this team. They got the shots they needed late and the defense held firm throughout despite a horrible shooting start.