FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) — Trevon Brazile scored 23 points and No. 11 Arkansas broke away in the second half to beat San Jose State 99-58 Saturday.
The Razorbacks (7-1) led 40-35 at the break before erupting. It was the first men's basketball matchup between the schools.
Ricky Council IV had 17 points for Arkansas. Heralded freshman guard Nick Smith, Jr. contributed 16 points and five assists in his first career start in only his second game as a collegian.
SJSU (6-3) was led by guard Omari Moore’s 21 points.
DAVIS RETURNS
Arkansas junior guard Davonte “Devo” Davis, who started in each of the first six games before taking a leave of absence and missing the Troy game on Monday, returned to the team on Wednesday and played off the bench against SJSU on Saturday.
BIG PICTURE
Arkansas has now won twice against Mountain West Conference opponents in its last three games, including a 78-74 overtime win over then-No. 17 San Diego State on Nov. 23 in the third-place game of the Maui Invitational in Hawaii. For the first time in eight games this season, the Razorbacks were at full strength on Saturday with all 13 scholarship players available to compete.
San Jose State, despite the loss, is only two wins away from matching its victory total from a season ago when the Spartans finished 8-23.
UP NEXT
San Jose State: Hosts Cal State Bakersfield on Tuesday.
Arkansas: Hosts North Carolina Greensboro on Tuesday at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville.
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