LEXINGTON, Ky. — Rhyne Howard scored 24 points, including a key 3-pointer during a clinching 9-0 run, and No. 13 Kentucky topped No. 10 Arkansas 75-64 on Thursday night in the Southeastern Conference opener for both teams.
Kentucky (8-1, 1-0) overcame a sluggish start from a 12-day break to eventually lead 57-48 early in the fourth quarter before Arkansas rallied to within 63-60 with 3:19 remaining. Blair Green then made a 3-pointer, Jazmine Massengill added a layup and Howard a 3 for a nine-point cushion.
A technical foul on Razorbacks coach Mike Neighbors led to a free throw by Green before KeKe McKinney added another to make it 73-62 with 49 seconds left before Green (10 points) made a layup.