TWO-WAY Sills earns plaudits.

University of Arkansas guard Desi Sills drew a critical defensive assignment in the SEC opener, performed it well, and it didn’t hamper his offense in the least.

Sills scored a careerhigh 23 points and helped stifle 6-6 Auburn point guard Justin Powell as the Razorbacks opened SEC play with a 97-85 victory at Auburn Arena on Wednesday.

Sills hit 8 of 15 shots, including 4 of 7 from threepoint range, and added 6 rebounds and 2 assists in 35 minutes.

He also helped limit Powell to 4 points on 1-of-8 shooting, including 0 of 3 from three-point range.

“My teammates were just looking for me,” Sills said. “I was coming in with confidence off the previous game that we played.

“I need to show why I’m one of the best guards in the SEC, you know. My teammates found me and I just delivered.”

Auburn Coach Bruce Pearl was impressed by the junior guard’s performance.

“Desi Sills is the most experienced player out there, and he was the best player out there in a lot of ways,” Pearl said. “Really good player, fun kid to watch. I really like him.”

Arkansas Coach Eric Musselman said he had 6-6 guard Jalen Tate assigned to Powell early in game prep, but opted to start the shorter 6-2 Sills on him.

“I made the switch [Tuesday] that I wanted Desi because of lower leverage and being able to get under the ball a little bit more,” Musselman said. “Then we put Tate on him at times too because of the length.

“I just thought Desi could stab at the ball a little bit. I thought both of those guys in tandem, and then also when Devo [Davonte Davis] guarded him, did a really good job.”

(Photo courtesy Auburn athletics) Arkansas guard Desi Sills (right) dribbles the ball Wednesday in front of Auburn forward Jaylin Williams during the Razorbacks’ victory over the Tigers in Auburn, Ala. Sills scored a career-high 23 points.