FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — No. 18 Arkansas improved to 2-1 on the season with a 65-49 win over Troy at Bud Walton Arena on Wednesday, but it wasn’t easy.

After an alarming start that saw the hobbled Hogs down 27-26 at halftime, the home team turned up the intensity and opened the game in the second half.

Adou Thiero and Zvonimir Ivisic scored 19 points apiece and Boogie Fland pitched in 12 to join them in double figures in the winning effort.

Here are three telling stats from the action at Bud Walton Arena:

RAZORBACKS FIND RHYTHM AFTER Ugly FIRST HALF

As it turns out, the red flags flying around Bud Walton Arena were early warning signs, unlike the Razorback’s setting, as the home team struggled to shoot 30.3 percent from the field and just 2 of 11 from three in the a 26-point first half that was hard on the eyes.

Arkansas missed 10 of its first 12 shots from the field and eight of its first nine 3-pointers, with the backcourt combo of Johnell Davis and DJ Wagner combining for just two points on 1-of-6 shooting in the opening frame.

The Razorbacks shook off the cobwebs at halftime and made 9 of their first 11 field goals — including four straight threes — to open a comfortable lead midway through the second half.

Arkansas’ hot second half continued with Ivisic connecting on five of his six 3-pointers in the second half to serve as a spark plug for an offense that shot over 60 percent from the field and from long range in the second half.

The Razorbacks finished the night with a career-high 10 3-pointers made on 23 attempts.

ARKANSAS CONTINUES HAT ON DEFENSE

Arkansas entered Wednesday’s contest ranked 12th nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency, according to KenPom, and it looked the part against Troy.

The Razorbacks could have easily trailed by double digits at halftime, but a stingy defensive effort kept Arkansas within striking distance and within one point (27-26) at halftime.

While Arkansas struggled to connect from the perimeter, held Troy to just 3-of-11 shooting from beyond the arc and forced a dozen turnovers in the first half with nine steals and five blocks, it doubled up the Trojans in points off turnovers ‘s and held a +6 margin in field goals attempted at halftime.

Attacking defense continued to be the theme after the break. Midway through the second half, back-to-back steals spearheaded a quick 7-0 run that extended Arkansas’ lead to double digits for the first time.

The Razorbacks set career highs with 24 forced turnovers, 16 steals, 10 blocks and held Troy to 38.9 percent shooting, 15.8 percent on 3-pointers and just 49 points.

ARKANSAS BRA COURT, CHALLENGED AROUND THE SIDE

It’s worth noting that the Razorbacks missed several shots in the first half, but something that stood out in the halftime score was Troy outscoring Arkansas 25-15 overall for a +1 margin on the glass offensive.

Of course, it didn’t help that Trevon Brazile — who grabbed five boards in the opening minutes — went down midway through the first half with what appeared to be an ankle injury, and Jonas Aidoo was clearly benched in crunch time.

Both were ruled out for the second half, which left the Hogs with sophomore Zvonimir Ivisic as the only active position player on the roster to go with jumbo wing Adou Thiero.

Despite being outgunned inside, Arkansas rallied around the rim and at least played Troy into a tie on the glass after halftime.

Troy won the overall rebounding battle (37-30) with a +4 advantage on the offensive glass – which is never ideal against a mid-major opponent – ​​but given the circumstances, Arkansas was able to limit the damage to just one dozen. second chance points were positives to take.

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