Box Score Game Stats

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Wofford started with a strong first half performance but No. 19 Arkansas rallied late the opening period and carried the momentum in the second frame to pull away for a 67-45 victory Friday evening in the men's basketball season opener for both schools.

The Terriers opened with a 6-0 lead behind three points from sophomore Corey Godzinski and a 3-pointer by Junior Salters before the Razorbacks netted their first points at 14:35 on a dunk by Darian Townes.

Wofford (0-1) would increase its lead to as high as eight, 10-2, with 13:38 to play in the first half on a layup by senior preseason All-Southern Conference pick Drew Gibson. The Hogs would then slice into the Terrier lead before taking their first lead, 15-14, on a Sonny Weems layup at the 8:57 mark. Townes converted another layup before Gibson knocked down a trey knotting the score at 17-17 with 7:42 left.

Neither team could pull away the remainder of the half. After Tim Johnson knotted the score for the fifth time in the half at 26-26, a pair of Charles Thomas free throws put Arkansas (1-0) ahead for good. The 'Backs closed the half when Downes blocked a Gibson jumper before racing to the other end for a dunk as the halftime buzzer sounded giving the hosts a 30-26 lead.

The second half began with a 15-6 Arkansas surge giving the Hogs a 45-32 advantage with 9:53 showing on the clock before Godzinski hit another layup. Last season's SEC Freshman of the Year, Patrick Beverley, hit a pair of triples in the run after being held without a field goal in the opening half.

Foul trouble plagued the Terriers in the second half as key players (Gibson, Salters and post Tyler Whatley) all were forced out of the lineup at various times keeping Wofford from running its typical rotation.

Gibson would hit 1-of-2 free throws at 2:11 cutting the margin to 16, 61-45, before Arkansas closed the contest by scoring the final six points.

Four Razorbacks finished in double-figure scoring, led by Beverley's 15 points. Townes added 14 with a game-best five blocked shots. Weems and Gary Ervin each chipped in 10 points, while Steven Hill collected a game-high nine rebounds.

Gibson was the lone Terrier in double digits with 12 points. Godzinski poured in nine points and Salters finished with eight.

Wofford will return to action in its home opener at 6 p.m. Tuesday against Lees-McRae inside the Benjamin Johnson Arena.