FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Zvonimir Ivisic had a first half to forget, but it was Big Z who saved No. 16 Arkansas in a big way in Wednesday’s season-opening 76-60 win over Lipscomb.
The 7-2 second-year center earned the start in his first official game as a Razorback, but after a defensive mistake that led to a layup, a goal and a pair of early mistakes, Ivisic found himself on the bench for the final twelve minutes. the first half.
Ivisic opened the second half with back-to-back paint scores – a welcome sight for Razorback fans craving more physicality from their big man – but it was his heroics down the stretch that made the difference for Arkansas.
After opening a 15-point lead midway through the second half, Lipscomb went on an 11-0 run to cut Arkansas’ lead to 60-56 with 7:47 to play.
Arkansas Razorbacks forward Zvonimir Ivisic guards a Lipscomb Bisons player at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, Ark. / Nilsen Roman-Hogs on SI Images
Ivisic – who drew the ire of John Calipari for his ill-advised three-point attempt late in the exhibition loss to TCU – stopped the bleeding with a catch-and-shoot triple with 6:53 left, sparking a 16-4 run to close the game for the Razorbacks.
“He made a three, which was a big three that extended the whole game,” Calipari said. “That’s all fine. If he does the post stuff and rebounds and blocks some shots and gets into better shape, I don’t mind him shooting threes.
“In fact, he probably makes more threes than anyone on this team. What did you think of that statement?’
Ivisic checked all the boxes Calipari outlined in the decisive run he started with the jumper, which was the first of eight points down the stretch with an old-fashioned three-point play, a steal and a block that served as an exclamation point. in the final seconds of victory.
Calipari credited Ivisic for playing with more physicality and dished an assist to his guards for making the adjustment and delivering the ball where only the big man could reach it.
“Because we threw him the ball,” Calipari said. “DJ threw two away. Throw the ball… You want to throw it at his feet? He’s 7-2. Where do you think you’d throw it? High. He’s 7-2. Don’t throw a spinner. Throw him high.
“Then he physically bent over, moved the man and got to the rim – he’s really skilled. He’s got to want to play rough.”
Ivisic finished the night with 12 points on 5-for-6 shooting with three rebounds, three blocks and a steal in 21 minutes.
Arkansas (1-0) returns to action Saturday when it travels to Dallas, Texas, for a neutral site matchup with No. 8 Baylor (0-1). Tipoff from the American Airlines Center is set for 6:30 p.m.