The Razorback men's basketball team's Thanksgiving week trip to Hawai'i is off to a winning start.
No. 9 Arkansas started its time at the Maui Invitational with an 80-54 win over Louisville to improve to 4-0 on the season.
Freshman guard Anthony Black was the spark for Arkansas, posting the best game of his young Razorback career. Black tallied a career-high 26 points while also dishing out six assists.
Ricky Council IV finished in double figures scoring-wise for the fourth time this season, putting up 15 points.
Arkansas' defense made it a long night for the Louisville offense. The Razorbacks forced 22 Cardinal turnovers and held the Cardinals to just 36% shooting. Arkansas held Louisville scoreless over an eight-minute drought during which the Hogs went on a 17-0 run that ballooned their lead to 27.
The Hogs jumped out to a 36-28 lead at the half thanks to a strong first half from Black. Black registered 12 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists in the opening half.
In a half in which Arkansas led by double digits at various points, the tone was set by the Razorback defense holding Louisville to just 32% shooting in the first 20 minutes.
The Hogs advance to the semifinals of the tournament, where they will face their toughest test of the season in No. 10 Creighton. The Bluejays defeated No. 21 Texas Tech 76-65 in their opener on Monday.
