FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas put up a fight against No. 6 Kentucky, but it wasn't enough as the Hogs fell 63-57 in front of an announced crowd of 19,200 at Bud Walton Area in Fayetteville on Saturday.
The loss snapped the Razorbacks' 24-game home win streak when leading at the half, as the team has dropped three straight games, including six of its last seven.
Makhi Mitchell led Arkansas with 12 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks in 32 minutes of action, while Tramon Mark and Khalif Battle scored 11 points each.
Without Trevon Brazile, the Razorbacks (10-10, 1-6 SEC) held the Wildcats (15-4, 5-2 SEC) and the nation's top-scoring offense to 1 of 17 shooting to start the game. Despite not shooting well themselves, Arkansas managed to build a 16-6 lead after Mark knocked down a jumper with 8:52 to play in the first half.
It wouldn't take long after that for Kentucky's offense to find a rhythm.
Antonio Reeves, who led the Wildcats with a game-high 24 points, made a three-pointer followed by another basket to bring Kentucky within one point, 21-20, with a little over three minutes left in the first half.
Arkansas and Kentucky each shot 9 of 31 (29%) from the field in the first half as the Razorbacks went to the locker room with a 26-24 lead.
The final 20 minutes was a different story.
Kentucky unloaded a barrage of three-pointers and took advantage of the Razorbacks' weaknesses inside the paint to take a 37-34 lead, its first of the game, with 14:03 remaining.
From there, the Hogs and Wildcats exchanged leads five times and were tied for a total of 3:32.
Arkansas struggled to put the ball in the basket and finished 20 of 60 (33.3%) from the floor, including 4 of 19 (21.1%) from behind the three-point line. Meanwhile, Kentucky shot 23 of 63 (36.5%) from the floor and was an efficient 9 of 20 (45%) from three.
The Wildcats outscored the Razorbacks 39-31 in the second half and made five of their last seven shots to seal the game.
University officials announced 10 minutes before tip-off against Kentucky that Davonte Davis has "stepped away from the program."
Arkansas continues action on Wednesday against Missouri. Coverage from Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Mo., begins at 7:30 p.m. Central on the SEC Network.