Hogs get back on track

Portis leads Arkansas past Dayton

Arkansas forward Bobby Portis celebrates after a forced Dayton turnover during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)

— Arkansas' long home stand began with a potential resume-building win Saturday.

The Razorbacks used a solid defensive effort to beat Dayton 69-55 at Bud Walton Arena. Arkansas forced 15 turnovers and blocked six shots, holding the Flyers to 23 points below their season average.

Bobby Portis scored 18 points and had 9 rebounds to lead the Razorbacks (7-2). Playing its first game in six days, Arkansas snapped a two-game losing streak.

The Razorbacks trailed just once and led by as many as 20 points after halftime. Arkansas struggled to shoot the ball in the second half, but compensated by making 10 of 13 free throws after halftime.

Portis scored 14 points in the first half as the Razorbacks built a 40-23 halftime lead. Arkansas made 58 percent of its field goal attempts in the first half, including four 3-pointers.

Dayton (7-2) held the Razorbacks to 39 percent shooting in the second half. The Flyers were never within 11 points after halftime.

Ky Madden scored 12 points and Jabril Durham added nine points for the Razorbacks. Jordan Sibert led Dayton with 18 points.

The Flyers, which made the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament last season, had a five-game win streak snapped. Dayton's only other loss this season was to Connecticut.

Arkansas has won 50 straight games against unranked nonconference teams at Bud Walton Arena. The Razorbacks will play again next Saturday against Southeast Missouri State in North Little Rock.