FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas guard Anthlon Bell is averaging close to a point per minute in his past seven games in Walton Arena.
"He likes playing at home," Arkansas Coach Mike Anderson said.
Bell, a 6-3 junior from Memphis, has produced 123 points in 148 minutes in Walton Arena games going back to last season's 110-80 victory over Ole Miss when he scored 23 points in 12 minutes and hit 8 of 11 three-point baskets.
Bell added a career-high 28 points a few weeks later in Arkansas' 75-64 victory over Indiana State in last season's NIT opening round at Walton Arena. He hit 11 of 13 shots -- including 6 of 8 three-pointers -- in 31 minutes.
The latest home success for Bell occurred Sunday when he scored 20 points in 25 minutes to help the Razorbacks beat Iona 94-77. He hit 5 of 10 three-pointers.
"They did a great job of finding him," Iona Coach Tim Cluess said. "That's what I thought was really impressive. Not only did he make the shots, but he worked to get open, and they really looked for him."
Bell is averaging 17.6 points in 21.1 minutes in Walton Arena during the stretch that includes Arkansas' five home games this season and the Ole Miss and Indiana State games last season.
But Anderson said it's more than just Walton Arena.
"I just think he's getting better," Anderson said. "He's maturing, he's understanding his role on this team now. He starts, and if you're in that position and that's what you do, you have to go out and produce."
Bell said any credit for the hot streak should go to his teammates, who have been getting him the ball in good position to take open shots.
"They're the ones finding me," Bell said.
Bell is shooting 60.6 percent from the field (43 of 71) in those seven home games, including 58.5 percent on three-pointers (31 of 53).
Arkansas' defense, he said, also has been a key for helping create more scoring opportunities.
"It starts with the defense first," Bell said.
Another factor in Bell's success, Anderson said, has been a stronger inside game, led by 6-11 sophomore Bobby Portis, who is averaging 15.3 points per game this season.
Arkansas' big men have been able to kick the ball back outside to Bell when opponents collapse their defense inside.
"Those guys are understanding he's a guy that can knock some shots down to make the floor open up," Anderson said. "They're getting it to him at the right time."
Bell was called for a second foul Sunday with 15:47 left in the first half against Iona and went to the bench for nine minutes, but he came back with 2 three-point baskets before halftime to help the Razorbacks take a 44-40 lead. He scored 10 points in the second half when Arkansas overcame a 61-60 deficit.
Bell said he didn't let the early foul trouble affect his game.
"You've just got to keep at it," he said. "Coach says don't worry about fouls because the way we play, we're going to foul. So just stay aggressive and stay at it."
The challenge now for Bell is to take his home game on the road.
Bell has averaged 3.8 points in 17.8 minutes while shooting 20.7 percent (6 of 29) from the field in his past four away games -- at Alabama, against South Carolina in the SEC Tournament, at California in the NIT last season and at SMU this season.
Bell scored 7 points in 26 minutes and hit 3 of 9 shots in the Razorbacks' 78-72 victory at SMU last week.
The No. 18 Razorbacks will be back on the road when they play No. 20 Iowa State in Ames, Iowa, Thursday night.
Bell was ill after the Iona game, but came into the interview room. He began coughing quite a bit after answering a few questions.
"I'm not worried about it," Bell said. "I'm just ready to go out there and play."
Sports on 12/02/2014