By Robbie Neiswanger
Arkansas News Bureau • rneiswanger@arkansasnews.com
FAYETTEVILLE — One of LSU’s biggest problems this season has been its inexperience at point guard.
It’s a fault the Razorbacks took advantage of during their 87-52 win in Bud Walton Arena on Wednesday.
Arkansas helped itself to an easy win by harassing LSU’s guards throughout the game. The Razorbacks forced 17 turnovers, collected 13 steals and outscored LSU 27-5 off the miscues in the lopsided victory.
“They put one of their guards on our guard and made it tough for us to cross half,” LSU coach Trent Johnson said. “Their on-ball pressure was tough.”
Arkansas guards Rotnei Clarke (four steals) and Stefan Welsh (three) were the most productive Razorbacks. However, six different Arkansas players collected at least one steal in Wednesday’s game.
Two of Welsh’s swipes led to easy buckets in the first half to help the Hogs extend their lead. First, he swiped the ball from freshman Daron Populist and dunked it on the other end. Then, he grabbed a loose ball left on the floor by injured LSU guard Bo Spencer and threw an alley-oop pass that was dunked by Arkansas forward Glenn Bryant to make it 39-17.
The Razorbacks’ guards also had some success dropping down to poke the ball away from forward Tasmin Mitchell, LSU’s only stable source of offense.
Arkansas’ 13 steals were its second-most productive performance this season. The Razorbacks collected 14 steals against Alcorn State on Nov. 13.
“We wanted to come out and put pressure and extend our pressure,” Clarke said. “We tried to help off a lot on Tasmin and we wanted certain guys to go at him whether it was double team or even a triple team.
“I think we did a really good job of help defense.”
Farmer on Fire
Arkansas guard Jemal Farmer, who got off to a quick start this season, has had a rough time the past two months. But the junior broke out of his slump — for at least one night — in the second half of the LSU win.
Farmer scored 11 points after the break and finished as one of three Arkansas players in double figures Wednesday night. He was 3-for-6 from the field, including 3-for-4 from behind the 3-point line.
It was the first time Farmer has reached double figures since scoring 11 points in Arkansas’ loss to Baylor on Dec. 30. Farmer, who scored 28 points in his debut, entered the game averaging 6.6 points.
“It felt good to get my confidence back,” he said.
Washington Returns
Arkansas forward Michael Washington was back in the starting lineup after leaving last Saturday’s game against Auburn with a shin injury.
The senior, who wore a protective sleeve on his left leg during Wednesday’s game, also was slowed earlier this week because of an illness. Arkansas coach John Pelphrey said it kept Washington out of Monday’s practice.
“We weren’t real sure what all we were going to get there,” Pelphrey said.
Washington struggled offensively against the Tigers and was 2-for-8 from the field. He also went 4-for-8 from the free-throw line in the first half.
Washington finished with 8 points and 8 rebounds.
Spencer Injured
As if LSU wasn’t struggling enough, the Tigers got more bad news in the first half against Arkansas.
Spencer — LSU’s second-leading scorer — left the game with an apparent ankle injury. Spencer pulled up limping while being guarded by Welsh.
Spencer, who was averaging 15.5 points, did not return to the game. He finished with four points.
“It’s not a high ankle sprain,” Johnson said. “Hopefully he’ll be ready to go (at Vanderbilt on Saturday).”
