Jones scores 19 in Hogs’ 64-46 win over Montana

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Eric Musselman admits to being old school when it comes to earning playing time for his Arkansas team.

On Saturday, the Razorbacks' coach used just seven players in the Razorbacks' 64-46 win against Montana in front of 13,058 in Bud Walton Arena. It marked the third straight win for Arkansas, and the third straight game the Razorbacks (3-0) have held their opponent to fewer than 50 points.

“I think if you go look at the box scores at Nevada the last four years, you're probably going to see seven-and-a-half or eight guys,” Musselman, who was 11034 at Nevada, said. “Every coach, every program has their own philosophy on that. I'd rather have a tired Isaiah Joe shooting than somebody else. We'll roll with however many players it takes to win on that night. I might be one of few coaches that believe that 30 college games, with 18- to 22-year old people that play one or two games per week are able to play 37 minutes.

“We're not going to just pass out minutes to pass out minutes. You've got to earn them in practice and you've got to earn them understanding the game plan.”

Arkansas got a game-high 19 points from Mason Jones and Adrio Bailey had his first career double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds to pace the Razorbacks. Jimmy Whitt Jr. had 14 points for Arkansas.

Offensively, Musselman said the Razorbacks struggled, but more than made up for it at the defensive end, limiting Montana (1-2) to 20 of 54 from the field, including just 4 of 20 from the 3-point line.

“We did not shoot the ball well at all,” Musselman said. “We weren't pretty offensively tonight, but that's what you have to do on nights when you can't score. You have to up your defensive intensity. Montana really struggled from the 3-point area with our defense. I thought we did a great job closing out the shooters and not giving them any clean looks.”

The Razorbacks focused their attention on limiting Montana senior guard

thought we would be able to was the biggest difference.” THE TAKEAWAY Texas: Give Texas credit for rallying from down 20-7 — and Ehlinger was his usual brilliant self. But a lack of production for nearly the entire first half came back to bite the Longhorns. “I was proud of the offense for continuing to fight and not giving up. But it was too little, too late,” Herman said.

Iowa State: The Cyclones also lost to Baylor 23-21 on a field goal to end the game and lost at Oklahoma by a point last week in Norman after going for two with less than 30 seconds left. Luck, which had gone largely against Iowa State in 2019, finally broke the Cyclones’ way. PIVOTAL MOMENT After letting the Longhorns drive 75 yards in just 30 seconds to make it 10-7 before the break, Iowa State started the second half with the ball. Texas broke through the Cyclones’ line, only to watch Purdy scramble left and throw back toward the right to Jones, who was open by about 20 yards downfield. Jones cruised in for the score to make it 17-7 Iowa State just one play into the third quarter. ““I just threw my hand up. Luckily he saw that,” Jones said. Purdy “just threw the ball up and the rest is history.”

GIVE TEXAS SOME CREDIT The Longhorns found themselves in a 2nd-and-35 midway through the fourth quarter — and Ehlinger got them 56 yards on their next two plays. Texas went 89 yards on that drive, which finished on Ehlinger’s go-ahead TD toss to Epps. Ehlinger was also crucial on the drive that got Texas to within 10-7 at halftime, going 4 for 5 and hitting Brennan Eagles for a score from 14 yards out. Eagles dragged his foot just inside the end zone on a play that was changed to a touchdown upon review.

POLL IMPLICATIONS

It’s hard to see Texas maintaining its spot in the Top 25 on Sunday. Iowa State might even be the team that replaces the Longhorns.

HE SAID IT

“I think it’s so fun...you’re watching the evolution of someone special,” Campbell said of Purdy, who now owns the school’s single-season record with 22 touchdown passes. “The moment has never been too big for Brock.”

UP NEXT

Texas plays at Baylor on Nov. 23.

Iowa State hosts Kansas next Saturday.