Big guys tower over Ole Miss
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas post players Moses Kingsley and Trey Thompson capitalized on a height advantage over Ole Miss and neutralized Rebels center Sebastian Saiz during the Razorbacks’ 98-80 victory Saturday.
Kingsley posted 14 points and 13 rebounds — his first double-double since a 10-point, 11-rebound effort in Arkansas’ 71-70 victory at Vanderbilt on Jan. 24. Kingsley also contributed 4 blocked shots, 3 assists and 1 steal in his 28 minutes.
“We got the old Moses back,” Arkansas Coach Mike Anderson said. “He’s doing all the things that garnered him all the attention.”
Thompson filled his stat line with 8 points, 8 rebounds, 3 blocked shots, 3 steals and 3 assists in 23 minutes.
“Trey Thompson, I can’t say enough,” Anderson said. “He makes a big, big difference on this team.”
Saiz — the SEC leader in rebounding (11.2) and double-doubles (17) — made 2 of 13 shots, scored 8 points and had 5 rebounds.
“You go on the road and you try to establish an inside presence and get to the free-throw line,” Ole Miss Coach Andy Kennedy said. “Well, obviously our inside presence is Sebastian Saiz and he had a rough night.
“Then you’re dependent on things where you don’t really have an opportunity to beat a team like Arkansas in this building, by living and dying on the perimeter.”
Thompson got hot on the block late in the first half with all three of his blocked shots coming in the final 3:34 of the first 20 minutes.
Kingsley and Thompson combined to block three Saiz shots.
“Moses just had my back when he made a move,” Thompson said.
“Trey did a good job of anticipating where he was going to be and then Moses came on the other side and blocked it,” Anderson said. “I thought we had him a little bit off beat tonight.”
Arkansas won the rebounding battle 42-40.