Problems continue for Qualls
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas’ guard Michael Qualls had another tough shooting night Tuesday, then hobbled off the court late in the game with a right leg injury during the Razorbacks’ 75-55 victory over South Carolina.
Qualls missed his first nine shots before going on a run that helped him contribute 11 points and nine rebounds, mostly by fighting in close to the rim and getting fouled. He drove from near the top of the key late with 3:31 remaining, ran into traffic, then fell with his right leg folded under him at the bottom of a pileup.
The junior guard rolled over to his stomach and stayed on the floor after his turnover while the action moved down to the other end of the Walton Arena court. When play stopped 21 seconds later, Qualls limped over to the sideline and his 3-of-14 shooting night was over.
Qualls sat near the end of the bench, but the training staff did not hover over him.
Asked about Qualls early in his postgame news conference, Arkansas Coach Mike Anderson said he was fine before adding that he expects to know more today.
“I don’t know the extent of what happened,” Anderson said. “He was a little gimpy there.”
Qualls, coming off the bench for the first time this year, couldn’t find his rhythm in the first half when he went 0 for 7, including a couple of missed dunks in traffic. The poor shooting stretch continued through his first couple of shots in the second half before Qualls tipped in a Bobby Portis miss.
The junior made three shots in a row, then missed his last two, finishing with 11 points. Qualls has gone 13 of 50 (.260) in the past four games.
Portis power
South Carolina Coach Frank Martin called himself a huge fan of Arkansas’ Bobby Portis, who had 18 points, 13 rebounds, 3 blocked shots, 2 assists, 2 steals and no turnovers in 26 minutes.
“We probably should have doubled him a little bit on the low post,” Martin said. “Then again, that’s not what we do.
“I thought last year as a freshman he played facing the basket a little too much. They put him on the left block now and he goes to work. That was obvious to us watching film, and that was obviously a problem for us today.”
Arkansas Coach Mike Anderson praised Portis’ efficiency.
“He only played 26 minutes and he probably did as much as he’s done in some of the other games,” Anderson said. “He had 18 points, 13 rebounds, 3 blocked shots, no turnovers. I mean, that just tells me he’s playing the game the right way, and our guys did a good job at times of getting the ball to him and he did a good job of catching the ball.”
Beard growth
Freshman Anton Beard put an imprint on the game for a stretch of the first half after South Carolina took its largest lead at 16-10 on consecutive three-pointers by Sindarius Thornwell and Tyrone Johnson.
Beard cut down the right baseline and took a pass from Bobby Portis for a layup and a traditional three-point play at the 9:51 mark. A few moments later he converted 1 of 2 free throws, then at 8:21 he made the Hogs’ first three-pointer of the game on a pass by Ky Madden for a 17-16 lead.
“I’m getting a rhythm for the game,” Beard said. “I feel the game was a little faster than what I was, but now I’m adjusting to the game and I feel more comfortable.”
Block party
Arkansas blocked a season-high eight shots, two more than its previous high.
Bobby Portis led the way with three blocks, while Alandise Harris and Jacorey Williams had two each.
The Hogs had five blocked shots in the first half, one shy of their season high that was previously accomplished against Alabama State, Dayton, Utah Valley State and Tennessee.
Whip it good
Arkansas’ most crisp play of the game came as Anthlon Bell put a backdoor move on his defender and fellow Arkansas guard Ky Madden rifled a pass through the heart of the lane.
Bell caught it in stride and converted a reverse layup for a 56-43 Arkansas lead at the 10:09 mark.
Drought data
South Carolina failed to score for the first 4:08, falling behind 6-0 before a layup by Mindaugas Kacinas at the 15:52 mark.
Arkansas fell into a funk after Bobby Portis’ hook shot at 16:13 made it 6-0, missing its next 10 shots, falling behind 10-6 and failing to score for 4:32 before Portis hit two free throws at the 11:41 mark.
Arkansas had two 9-0 runs later in the half, the first during a drought of 2:25 by South Carolina and the second during a 3:20 scoreless run.