Houston whips Arkansas in blowout win

Arkansas guard Daryl Macon shoots a free throw during the second half in an NCAA college basketball game against Oklahoma during the Phil Knight Invitational Tournament, in Portland, Ore., Thursday, Nov. 23, 2017. (AP Photo/Troy Wayrynen)

Houston 91, Arkansas 65, final

Devin Davis scored 28 points, Corey Davis Jr. added 17 and Houston led from start to finish in a dominant win.

The Cougars (6-1) shot 51.8 percent from the floor and made 10 of 21 from 3-point range, racking up the most points Arkansas (5-2) has allowed this season. They jumped out to an 11-0 lead to start the game and led by as much as 30 in the second half.

But their aggressive, physical play was the difference in the game. Arkansas shot just 34.5 percent from the floor and its stellar senior guard tandem of Jaylen Barford and Daryl Macon combined to make just 7 of 20 shots as the Hogs struggled with stagnant halfcourt offense much of the game.

Daniel Gafford was again limited by foul trouble in the first half and sustained an apparent shoulder injury midway through the second, but did return later. He played less than 20 minutes for the third time in four games as a result of the foul and injury issues.

Barford and Anton Beard finished with 13, while C.J. Jones added 11 off the bench and Macon scored 10.

The Razorbacks' next game is a Tuesday night home matchup with Colorado State.

Houston 86, Arkansas 58, 3:33 second half

Daniel Gafford returned to the court after suffering an apparently not serious shoulder injury midway through the second half, a small but important silver lining for the Razorbacks.

That's about the only positive in Houston for the Hogs. The Cougars are whipping them on both sides of the court.

Houston 77, Arkansas 49, 7:31 second half

Devin Davis has 28 on 10 of 14 shooting, while Corey Davis Jr. has added in 17 in what has turned into a rout.

Making matters worse for Arkansas, freshman Daniel Gafford went down with an apparent shoulder injury after landing on it while going for a rebound midway through the second half. He remained on the floor for an extended period of time in obvious discomfort before heading to the bench.

The Hogs are shooting just 34.8 percent and have 11 turnovers.

Houston 64, Arkansas 42, 11:38 second half

Corey Davis Jr.'s four-point play gave the Cougars a 22-point lead, their biggest of the night. He has 17. Devin Davis has 17 of his own. The Cougars are 9 of 17 from 3.

Arkansas is shooting just 33 percent from the floor and has been out of rhythm all night on the offensive end.

Houston 52, Arkansas 33, 15:49 second half

The Cougars have pushed the lead to a game-high 19 with Arkansas off to a 2 of 9 start to the second half.

Mike Anderson is searching for a spark, inserting Dustin Thomas into the starting group to begin the half and going to Daniel Gafford early, but nothing is working. Devin Davis has a game-high 17.

Houston 44, Arkansas 29, halftime

The Razorbacks started and ended sluggishly as Houston was the aggressor on both ends of the court.

Arkansas shot just 32 percent from the floor and turned it over 10 times. Jaylen Barford and Daryl Macon have a combined five points on 2 of 9 shooting. Anton Beard has a team-high eight points.

Houston has struggled with foul trouble, but hit 7 of 12 from 3-point range. Devin Davis has 13, while Corey Davis Jr. and Armoni Brooks have hit three 3s apiece.

Houston 36, Arkansas 25, 3:36 first half

Anton Beard and C.J. Jones are keeping the Hogs within striking distance despite Houston hitting 7 of 11 from 3. Beard has four points and two assists while Jones has hit a pair of 3-pointers.

Houston 27, Arkansas 15, 7:41 first half

Arkansas' sluggish first half is continuing and Daniel Gafford is in foul trouble again.

The Hogs are just 4 of 16 from the floor and have eight turnovers, which Houston is using to get early clock 3-point looks. The Cougars have hit 5 of 7.

Gafford is on the bench after picking up two fouls in six minutes.

Houston 13, Arkansas 5, 11:48 first half

Arkansas started 0 of 9 from the floor with four turnovers as it fell behind 11-0 early.

Dustin Thomas has helped provide a spark off the bench, with four points and three rebounds, two offensive. The Razorbacks' defense hasn't been bad, but their offense has to pick it up.

Houston 5, Arkansas 0, 15:59 first half

The Hogs are off to a sloppy start, with four turnovers and an 0 of 3 start on the offensive end. Trey Thompson has two of the turnovers in uncharacteristically careless fashion.

Pregame

Both teams will try to improve on 5-1 starts. Arkansas is in its fourth straight game away from home in a matchup at Houston. The game tips at 6:30 p.m.

Arkansas is going with the same starting lineup for the seventh consecutive game: guards Jaylen Barford, Daryl Macon and Anton Beard and forwards Adrio Bailey and Trey Thompson. The group is easily the team's most-used lineup and has been incredibly effective so far this year, posting a plus-31.8 net rating.