Richmond’s season-high 21 points carry Arkansas past UCA

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Billy Richmond had the kind of night John Calipari has been waiting on.

The 6-foot-7 junior put up 21 points, his best of the season, and pulled down nine rebounds Friday at Bud Walton Arena. No. 19 Arkansas beat Central Arkansas 79-66 to move to 3-1, while the Bears dropped to 2-2.

Calipari’s praise went past the box score. “He dove, he drove, he rebounded, he stick backs when we’re missing an easy shot,” Calipari said.

Richmond made 8 of his 12 shots, and his coach brought up that number too. “If he gives us that, and he took 12 shots, I’m going to be so happy,” Calipari said.

Richmond kept his own take short. “Just going out there, having a feel for the game,” he said. “That’s what I try to do every game.”

He did most of his damage early. Fifteen of his 21 points came in the first half, including all three of his 3-pointers.

Those were his first 3s of the regular season. Richmond went 3-for-3 from deep, a career high in makes.

Richmond’s role keeps growing

His numbers have climbed fast. Through his first two games, Richmond averaged 9.5 points and 4.5 rebounds while shooting 61.9% from the floor.

He’s at 18.5 points and 6.5 rebounds a night over the last two. His shooting percentage hasn’t budged, either, sitting at that same 61.9%.

The ball’s finding him more often. His shot count went from 15 in his first two games to 26 in the last two.

Calipari said Richmond has spent some time running the point. He also explained what kind of team fits him best. “He’s one of those guys that he’s got to be on a team that when guys cut hard, they find him,” Calipari said.

Richmond finished plus-21, second-best on the Razorbacks. He also had four assists.

His fastbreak dunk late in the game came during the 9-0 run that finally put UCA away.

UCA kept coming back

The win wasn’t as clean as the halftime score made it look. Arkansas led 43-27 at the break after shooting 55% and getting 15 fastbreak points to UCA’s zero.

The Bears won the second half 39-36. They got within 55-48 early in the half, then turned a 15-point deficit into a 66-60 game with 5:13 left.

UCA was still within 68-62 with 4:25 to play. Then Arkansas scored the next nine. Jeremiah Wilkinson started it with a 3, and Cooper Bowser added two free throws and a layup around Richmond’s dunk.

Wilkinson finished with 14 points and four 3-pointers. He’s the only Hog in double figures in every game this season.

Jordan Smith Jr. scored 12 on 5-of-6 shooting with three steals and two blocks. Miikka Muurinen had 11 points, and Davion Thompson came off the bench to hand out eight assists.

Harrison Beauchamp led UCA with 14 points. Arkansas is now 11-0 all-time against Central Arkansas.

Indiana waits in New York

The Razorbacks hit the road Tuesday to face Indiana at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The game is part of the Bad Boys Mower Series.

Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. CST. NBC and Peacock will carry it.

Shooting will be worth watching.

The Hogs are 3-0 this season when they make at least 50% of their shots from the field, and they’re 36-0 under Calipari when they reach that mark.