Allen’s slump ends in victory

GAINESVILLE — KeVaughn Allen ended a three-week shooting slump by scoring a season-high 28 points, reaching double figures for the first time in 2018, and Florida used a fast start to beat Arkansas 88-73 on Wednesday night.

Jalen Hudson added 21 points for the Gators (13-5, 5-1 SEC), who won for the seventh time in their last eight games.

Arkansas (12-6, 2-4) fell to 0-4 on the road this season and dropped its 13th straight in Gainesville. The Razorbacks have lost eight in a row against Florida.

This one wasn’t even close. The Gators hit 11 of their first 15 shots, building a 15-point lead in the opening 12 minutes, and pretty much coasted from there. Allen and Hudson made consecutive 3-pointers a few minutes later, pushing the lead to 41-23.

Arkansas coach Mike Anderson kept searching for ways to slow Allen and the Gators down, but nothing worked.

The Razorbacks cut it to single digits midway through the second half on C.J. Jones’ 3-pointer, but Allen answered on other end.

Allen made 8 of 12 shots, including 6 of 7 from 3-point range. The junior had been quiet for weeks, scoring a combined 17 points over the last four games while missing 17 of 24 shots and 11 of 14 3-pointers.

Allen was the team’s leading scorer last season, but seemed to take a back seat to newcomers Hudson and Egor Koulechov. He was much more assertive against Arkansas.

Florida scored 48 points in the first half for a 15-point lead. It was the team’s best opening 20 minutes since scoring 53 against Duke in November.

Jaylen Barford led Arkansas with 28 points. Daniel Gafford added 14 points and 10 rebounds.