Challenge handled by Hogs

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

— After Arkansas’ basketball team opened its tour of Italy with a 40-point victory, the Razorbacks got a challenge Monday from Atletas Kanaus before pulling away to beat the Lithuanian pro team 95-84 Monday in Pistoia, near Florence.

Sophomore guard BJ Young led Arkansas with 16 points in 16 minutes and junior guard Rickey Scott scored 14 points as the Razorbacks rallied from a 19-17 first-quarter deficit against Atletas Kanaus, which in recent days beat Georgia 94-90 and Purdue 82-79 while losing to Tennessee 82-68.

Young hit 7 of 8 shots, including both of his three point attempts, and also had five steals.

The Razorbacks beat Amici del Competto, an Italian pro team, 129-89 Sunday.

“It was much better competition and I think that it was great for our guys to go out and play a team that had us down in the first quarter,” Arkansas Coach Mike Anderson said. “I thought that our depth was very effective in this game.”

Razorbacks freshman guard Michael Qualls scored 12 points and junior forward Coty Clarke had 10 points and eight rebounds. Junior forward Marshawn Powell, continuing his comeback from knee surgery, had six points and six rebounds.

Arkansas outscored Atletas Kaunas 30-20 in the second quarter to take a 47-39 lead. The Razorbacks pushed their lead to 74-58 after three quarters and led 93-70 in the fourth quarter.

Arkansas forced 22 turnovers. Atletas Kaunas hit 14 three-pointers.

The Razorbacks will play Atletas Kaunas again today.

Sports, Pages 15 on 08/14/2012