The Arkansas Razorbacks kicked off their highly anticipated season under new head coach John Calipari with a narrow 25-23 victory over the Lipscomb Bisons. Despite a sluggish start, the Razorbacks rallied in the first half to secure the win in their season opener.

Thrilling Finish Caps Eventful Opener for Calipari's Razorbacks

Slow Start Plagues Razorbacks Early

The Razorbacks came out of the gates looking a bit rusty, committing six turnovers and struggling to find their offensive rhythm. Lipscomb capitalized on Arkansas' early mistakes, taking a 14-12 lead midway through the first half. The Razorbacks were 0-for-4 from beyond the arc and had difficulty containing Lipscomb around the basket.However, the Razorbacks' defense eventually sparked their offense, as a full-court press forced a pair of Lipscomb turnovers that led to easy transition baskets for Trevon Brazile and D.J. Wagner. This sparked an 11-0 run for Arkansas, but Lipscomb responded with back-to-back three-pointers to keep the game close.

Razorbacks Find Their Groove

As the first half progressed, the Razorbacks began to find their offensive flow, particularly by driving to the basket. Johnell Davis and D.J. Wagner each had driving shots and Wagner added a three-point play to fuel a 7-0 run that gave Arkansas a 19-17 lead with just over 8 minutes remaining in the half.The Razorbacks' improved ball movement and aggression on the offensive end helped them overcome their early struggles. Trevon Brazile was a bright spot for Arkansas, contributing 2 points, 3 rebounds, and some hustle plays to keep the Razorbacks in the game.

Lipscomb Keeps it Close, but Razorbacks Hold On

Lipscomb refused to go away, hitting a pair of timely three-pointers to keep the game within reach. The Bisons had a couple of opportunities to tie the game but were unable to convert on some point-blank looks.In the end, the Razorbacks' defensive intensity and timely scoring proved to be the difference, as they held on for the 25-23 victory. The win may not have been as dominant as some may have expected, but it showcased the Razorbacks' resilience and ability to grind out a tough victory against a scrappy Lipscomb squad.As the Razorbacks look to build momentum under Calipari's leadership, this hard-fought win should serve as a valuable learning experience and a reminder that every game in the competitive world of college basketball requires a complete effort.