Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Spectacular Joe scores 34 for UA
FAYETTEVILLE — Isaiah Joe joined the University of Arkansas men’s basketball team’s 30-point club Saturday night.
The 6-5 freshman guard from Fort Smith Northside scored 34 points to lead the Razorbacks to a 121-89 victory over Florida International.
Joe became the 46th Arkansas player to score 30 or more points, and the most since Bobby Portis scored 35 against Alabama during the 2013-2014 season.
Joe hit 11 of 14 shots — including 10 of 13 three-pointers — and 2 of 2 free throws.
Joe doubled his previous scoring high of 17 points in a season-opening 73-71 overtime loss to Texas.
Arkansas sophomore forward Daniel Gafford had 23 points, 12 rebounds and 4 blocks. Sophomore guard Mason Jones had 19 points, 10 rebounds and 3 assists.
Sophomore point guard Jalen Harris had 9 points, 10 assists and 3 rebounds for the Razorbacks. Junior forward Adrio Bailey had 10 points, 4 rebounds and 4 blocked shots.
Senior guard Brian Beard led FIU with 21 points. Junior guard Trejon Jacob scored 20 points.
Jones hit a three-point basket and 1 of 2 free throws in the final 42 seconds of the first half to give Arkansas a 58-35 halftime lead.
The Razorbacks started 7 of 9 from the field and jumped out to a 17-5 lead on Gafford’s layup with 14:56 left in the half.
Isaiah Banks’ dunk pulled FIU within 19-9.
Harris’ 12-foot jumper gave Arkansas a 24-11 lead.
Antonio Daye hit 1 of 2 free throws to pull the Panthers within 24-20 with 8:29 left in the half and cap a 9-0 stretch for FIU.
The Razorbacks responded by outscoring FIU 26-8 over a 5:17 span to push their lead to 50-28 with 3:01 left in the first half.
Joe scored 14 points in the run, including 3 of 3 on three-pointers.
Freshman guard Jordan Phillips, playing in his third game since coming back from knee surgery, hit two shots in a two-minute span to put the Razorbacks ahead 54-33.
The Razorbacks, playing for the first time since a 7860 victory over Texas-Arlington on Nov. 23, won their 28th consecutive nonconference home game since losing to Akron 86-80 on Nov. 18, 2015.
Arkansas is 67-2 in nonconference games at Walton Arena under Coach Mike Anderson. The Razorbacks’ other non-conference loss in Anderson’s eight seasons was to No. 6 Syracuse 91-82 during the 2012-2013 season.
FIU had its winning streak end at five games. The Panthers’ only loss before Saturday night was 83-77 at Fordham on Nov. 16.
Arkansas plays its first true road game of the season at Colorado State on Wednesday night. The Razorbacks played Texas on a neutral court at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, in the Armed Services Classic.