Fayetteville, AR (SportsNetwork.com) - Michael Qualls scored 22 points and pulled down a game-high nine rebounds for No. 25 Arkansas as they pulled away in the second half for an 89-73 win over North Texas.
Only leading by two at halftime, a balanced attack helped the Razorbacks (5-0) build their lead. Rashad Madden and Anthlon Bell each chipped in 15, and Madden added five rebounds and a game-high seven assists.
The Mean Green (4-2) were able to stay in the game by shooting 10-of-20 from beyond the arc. T.J. Taylor paced North Texas with 16 points, and Jordan Williams contributed 15. Muhammed Ahmed scored 12 points and had seven rebounds.
With less than 12 minutes remaining, a DeAndre Harris dunk for the Mean Green gave them their first lead of the second half at 55-54, but an Anton Beard triple 16 seconds later gave Arkansas the lead right back.
After North Texas took that lead, Arkansas responded with a 14-3 run. A Qualls free throw got the Razorbacks their first 10-point lead, and it was preceded by a three-point play from Bell.
Ahmed's three-point play with just over four minutes left on the clock got North Texas back within single digits, but the next minute and a half saw the Hogs go on a 10-0 run to take an 83-61 lead, their largest of the game. They hit all six free throw attempts in that stretch, and Arkansas finished 20- of-25 from the line, compared to just 11-of-24 for the Mean Green.
Entering the game shooting over 50 percent, Arkansas was limited to just 40.8 percent from the field, allowing North Texas to remain competitive. The Mean Green committed just 10 turnovers after averaging over 17 per game prior to Friday's contest.
The entire first half was played in an eight-point window with neither team ever leading by more than five. A Qualls jumper for Arkansas gave them a five point lead with less than seven minutes remaining, but the Hogs needed a four point run with a minute and a half left to take a 38-36 lead into halftime.
Qualls had 13 at the half with a trio of 3-pointers.
Arkansas finished with a 47-34 rebounding edge, including 21 pulled down on the offensive glass.
Game Notes
Arkansas has a 18-game winning streak against non-conference opponents at home ... Arkansas has scored 78 or more points in every game this season ... Arkansas is 14-0 all-time against North Texas ... North Texas is on a 45-game losing streak to ranked opponents and hasn't won since Feb. 27, 1971 against 15th-ranked Louisville ... Arkansas' last loss on Nov. 28 came in 2007 when current head coach Mike Anderson topped them with Missouri.
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