FAYETTEVILLE — A pair of Arkansas transfers led the 10th-ranked Razorbacks to a 76-58 season-opening victory over North Dakota State on Monday at Bud Walton Arena.
Guard Ricky Council (Wichita State) scored 14 of his game-high 22 points after halftime and forward Trevon Brazile (Missouri) had a double-double with 21 points and 12 rebounds in 32 minutes off the bench.
Arkansas pulled away after a tight first half. The Razorbacks closed the half on a 13-5 run and led 34-26 at halftime.
North Dakota State struggled against Arkansas’ defense and finished 19-of-56 shooting. Boden Skunberg and Grant Nelson each scored 17 points to lead the Bison.
Brazile and Council combined to score all 11 points during an 11-0 Arkansas run early in the second half that gave the Razorbacks a 49-31 lead with 15:39 remaining. Arkansas led by as many as 21 points in the second half.
Council made 9 of 14 shots and Brazile made 7 of 14 to lead a 28-of-57 shooting night for the Razorbacks. Arkansas made 4 of 10 three-point shots and 16 of 23 attempts from the free-throw line.
The Razorbacks out-rebounded the Bison 40-35 and out-scored North Dakota State 44-24 in the paint. Arkansas scored 20 points off 11 forced turnovers.
Davonte Davis added 18 points for the Razorbacks, who won their 49th consecutive home opener. Arkansas improved to 30-0 in openers at Walton Arena.
The Razorbacks played without freshman guard Nick Smith, who has a knee injury. Smith has been projected by multiple publications as the national freshman of the year this preseason.
Arkansas is scheduled to host Fordham on Friday at 7 p.m.