Fayetteville, Ark. – In front of a lively home crowd, the No. 19 Arkansas Razorbacks rebounded from a recent loss with a commanding 76-53 win over the Robert Morris Colonials on Wednesday night. Senior guard Billy Richmond III paced the offense, pouring in 16 points while five teammates also reached double‑digit totals.
Balanced scoring fuels the win
Richmond’s efficient shooting (8‑of‑14) set the tone early, and his leadership helped spark a collective effort. Cooper Bowser contributed a double‑double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Davion Thompson added 15 points, seven assists and five rebounds. Freshman Jordan Smith Jr., who had posted 20 and 19 points in his first two games, struggled with a 1‑of‑8 shooting night, scoring only three points. Fellow five‑star recruit Miikka Muurinen was limited to two points and failed to find the basket.
JJ Andrews and Jeremiah Wilkinson also chipped in, posting 11 and 10 points respectively. The Razorbacks shot 50 percent as a team and dished out 25 assists on 31 field goals, underscoring the balanced nature of the performance.
Razorbacks control the paint
Arkansas dominated the interior, outrebounding Robert Morris 45‑21 and outscoring the Colonials 44‑20 in the paint. The Razorbacks’ defensive pressure forced turnovers and limited the Colonials to just 53 points, a stark contrast to the 76 they allowed in their previous outing.
Robert Morris, entering the game with an 0‑3 record and a preseason Horizon League poll ranking of second, could not establish a foothold. Ace Valentine led the Colonials with 13 points, but the team’s overall shooting woes and inability to compete inside proved decisive.
Momentum shifts and game flow
After a sluggish start that saw Arkansas trailing for much of the first 15 minutes, the Razorbacks seized control with a 12‑2 run to close the first half. A 16‑1 spurt midway through the second quarter further widened the gap, allowing Arkansas to dictate the pace for the remainder of the contest.
The victory improves Arkansas’s record to 2‑1 and restores confidence after a blowout loss to No. 9 Virginia in Washington. Coach Eric Musselman praised his team’s resilience, noting that “the effort and execution we showed tonight reflect the character of this group and the standards we set for ourselves.”
Looking ahead
Arkansas will host Central Arkansas on Friday, seeking to build on the momentum generated in Fayetteville. Meanwhile, Robert Morris heads to Division III Capital on Sunday, hoping to rebound from the tough loss.
Fans can follow upcoming games and team updates on the Razorbacks’ official website and social media channels.
Original reporting: KY3 Springfield (local) — read the source article.
