FAYETTEVILLE — After a closer than expected first half, Arkansas pulled away in the closing minutes for a 97-79 win over Alabama State in the season opener at Bud Walton Arena.
Bobby Portis scored 24 points to lead four Razorbacks with double-figure scoring efforts. Portis had a pair of dunks early in the second half to give Arkansas the lead for good after the game was tied at halftime.
With Arkansas trailing 54-53, Portis gave the Razorbacks the lead with a dunk off a lob pass from Jabril Durham. Portis then stole the ensuing inbounds pass and dunked with one hand to give Arkansas a 57-54 lead.
Alabama State cut Arkansas' lead to 65-62 with 12:58 remaining, but never got any closer. The Razorbacks outscored the Hornets 18-8 over the final 4:28 to create some breathing room.
Paced by DeMarcus Robinson, Alabama State led for much of the first half. Robinson scored 19 of his 21 points before halftime, hitting all seven of his field goal attempts, including five 3-pointers.
The Hornets hit 8 of 11 attempts from 3-point range in the first half, including several that were contested.
Arkansas tied the game 48-48 on a layup by Durham with 35 seconds left in the first half. That was the score at halftime.
The Razorbacks' defense tightened up after halftime, limiting Alabama State to 13-of-34 shooting in the second half. The Hornets missed all six of their 3-point attempts after halftime.
Arkansas forced Alabama State into 23 turnovers, converting those into 27 points. The Razorbacks hit 18 of 30 field goal attempts after halftime, including 4 of 6 shots from 3-point range.
Anthon Bell scored 15 of his 20 points in the second half for the Razorbacks. Alandise Harris and Michael Qualls each scored 13 points.
Robinson led Alabama State with 21 points. Bobby Brown added 14 points for the Hornets (1-1).
The Razorbacks won their 20th straight season opener. Arkansas will play again Wednesday with a 8 p.m. home game against Wake Forest.