FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas sophomores BJ Young and Hunter Mickelson made sure they would have locker room bragging rights after this season’s Red-White intrasquad game.
Young and Mickelson, who were on the losing end of last season’s game as freshmen, combined for 48 points and 15 rebounds to lead their Red team to an 85-75 victory Tuesday night at Walton Arena.
Young, a 6-3 guard and preseason first-team All-SEC choice, had 28 points and made 13 of 20 shots from the field. He also had five rebounds and a game-high four assists, including a behind-the-back pass to Mickelson, who then hit a jump shot.
“BJ’s so fast, it’s hard to keep up with him,” said junior guard Rickey Scott, who played for the White team. “Then when we had all eyes on him, he kicked it out to the other guys. It’s hard playing against him.”
Arkansas Coach Mike Anderson has challenged Young to be a better all-around player this season.
“I think he’s improved from last year,” Anderson said. “We’ll see how the season continues to unfold. We know he can get to the basket to score and he can knock down shots, but tonight he also was distributing the basketball. He was rebounding.
“He’s such a competitor, and I thought his will really helped his team win.”
Mickelson, a 6-10 forward, had 20 points, 10 rebounds and 7 blocked shots.
“It was what I needed I do,” Mickelson said of the blocks. “I know they’re my teammates, but we’re on the opposite sides tonight. I just hope to keep it up.”
Anderson said it was the most active Mickelson has been defensively in practice after he blocked 72 shots last season.
“He looked like that guy last year, where anything that came down that lane he was contesting it,” Anderson said.
The Red team got 19 points from freshman guard Anthlon Bell, who made 5 of 8 three-pointers.
“Anthlon really had a nice little rhythm,” Anderson said. “He’s a guy that can knock down shots, and our guys found him in the open court or when the ball went inside and came back out.”
Junior forward Alandise Harris had 10 points and a game-high 13 rebounds for the Red team, and sophomore guard Ky Madden had 6 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists.
Harris is redshirting after transferring from Houston, so fans won’t see him in a game again until next season.
“Alandise is a physical presence, he’s really skillful and crafty around the basket,” Anderson said. “He gets those tough rebounds. He’ll have a chance to help us in practice each and every day.”
Junior forward Marshawn Powell, who missed all but the first two games last season because of a knee injury, had 22 points and six rebounds for the White team. He made 10 of 22 shots from the field.
“Marshawn is slowly getting the feel for playing at that pace again,” Anderson said. “I thought he was a ltitle rusty early on, but he got into more of an attack mode.”
Scott added 13 points for the White team. Junior guard Kikko Haydar had 11 points and junior forward Coty Clarke added eight points and 11 rebounds. Junior guard Mardracus Wade was 1 of 8 from the field and finished with seven points.
Young scored eight consecutive points to open the second half and give the Red team a 47-38 lead with 17:20 left. The White team couldn’t pull closer than five points the rest of the game.
The White team started 1 of 13 from the field while falling behind 8-5 as the Red team started 4 of 13. The Red pushed its lead to 30-15 on freshman guard Michael Qualls’ rebound basket with 8:32 left in the first half.
Haydar then hit three consecutive three-pointers and added a steal and driving basket to pull the White within 35-28. Wade hit two free throws for the White with 29 seconds left before halftime to cut the Red lead to 39-34.
The White team’s only lead was 2-0 after two free throws by Clarke.
The Razorbacks play their exhibition opener against Southwest Baptist at 7 p.m. Friday in Walton Arena. They play another exhibition game Monday night against LeMoyne-0wen, then open the regular season against Sam Houston State on Nov. 9.
Sports, Pages 21 on 10/31/2012