FAYETTEVILLE - It's a beautiful day in Northwest Arkansas as the No. 12 Razorbacks are set to host the No. 15 Gonzaga Bulldogs at Bud Walton Arena.
With the lower bowl around 80% capacity, Arkansas fans received third-year coach John Calipari with a standing ovation as he walked on the hardwood of Nolan Richardson Court.
Refresh throughout the game for live updates.
FINAL: Arkansas wins 74-72.
1:21(timeout Arkansas): Gonzaga three-point attempt by De Sousa is no good, and Smith comes down with the rebound. Arkansas leads 70-68.
The ball moves around the perimeter, Thompson with a little isolation and drills his second and most meaningful three of the game. Razorbacks lead 73-68.
3:58 (media timeout): Bowser goes down with and is being looked at by the training staff following his dunk that extended Arkansas' lead 68-61. Razorback fans have seen enough close calls tonight from an injury standpoint.
5:53: Smith and Muurinen have returned to the floor and the fans give them a standing ovation.
JJ Andrews (7) dunks the ball during warmups before the game against the Gonzaga Bulldogs at Bud Walton Arena. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
8:12:Andrews connects on a three in the corner after the Razorbacks fought for a rebound off Maker's miss at the free throw line. Richmond was on the left side of the lane when he found the true freshman wide open, throwing Bud Walton Arena into a frenzy.
Arkansas leads 62-52.
10:19: Andrews drills a three from the right wing to answer what was a mini-run from Gonzaga to take a 55-49 lead. Razorbacks give up a quick bucket on the defensive end and Richmond drills a three.
Razorbacks lead 58-51. Now, Muurinen is down after attempting to block. He is up with assistance.
13:19: Smith took a short outlet pass in transition and drew some contact down the floor, but was not called. He went down on the floor and appeared to be in severe pain, possibly a right knee injury. He was ushered to the tunnel to be evaluated in the locker room.
16:21: Richmond drives to the paint and draws a foul from Gonzaga's Diop. Arkansas appears to be more in control on the offensive end through the first three minutes.
Gonzaga still hasn't scored since the 2:14 mark of the first half.
Arkansas leads 44-36 as Thompson drives to the rim, shields the ball and his drills a short floater.
18:35: Andrews goes 1-for-2 at the free throw line, but helps Arkansas extend it's lead to 39-36. Kind of surprising to see Thompson out there at point guard early on with Smith on the bench.
3.3 seconds, first half: Arkansas forces a turnover and Smith drives down the floor but his shot attempt is blocked.
The Hogs head to the locker room down a point, 36-35.
28.2 seconds, first half: Smith's driving layup was no good, but JJ Andrews was there for the putback as Arkansas pulls within one.
Gonzaga leads 36-35.
1:25, first quarter: Arkansas fell behind by 10, but a quick five point spurt by the Razorbacks with a reverse layup by Muurinen pulls Arkansas back within five.
Toure finds himself loose in the open floor and was fouled going up for a dunk.
Gonzaga leads 36-33.
6:07, first half: Arkansas' defense finally allowed them to get out in transition as 30-foot lob to a rising Richmond was recedived with a huge pop from the crowd. The Razorbacks are insanely long and will certainly cause problems throughout the year.
Gonzaga leads 26-23.
It seems like each time the Razorbacks pull within a bucket of taking the lead, Gonzaga has an answer on the other end. Smith has been held scoreless so far, but has seen a few of his shots go a little long off the opposite side of the rim, and that could be due to some freshman jitters.
8:47, first half: Fouls continue to be a problem in the first half for the Razorbacks as Gonzaga's Parker Jefferson has bullied his way to the basket. He goes 1-of-2 at the line and the Razorbacks get out in transition.
Jeremiah Wilkinson finds himself on the left wing and drills a three to pull his team with in one point, and the Bulldogs lead 20-19.
11:41, first half (media timeout): Toure rips off a three from the left wing to pull Arkansas within one, 13-12. The Razorbacks didn't quite get back on the other end as Gonzaga's Isaiah Harwell drives the lane for a dunk.
Gonzaga leads 15-12.
14:55, first half: Thompson drills a three pointer from the left wing. The lefty has such a pure stroke and is playing without fear in his first college game.
15:45, first half: (media timeout): Gonzaga has taken an 8-6 lead off a Muurinen turnover to avoid a five second call. The Bulldogs worked the ball to the corner but the pass sailed out of bounds.
Calipari puts in a new five with Davion Thompson, JJ Andrews, Abdou Toure, Maper Maker and Caleb Ourigou.
17:38, first half: Muurinen with another basket, this one from three. The Finland native has looked solid on the offense end in his first college game.
He's been a problem on the defensive end using his length to disrupt Gonzaga's interior offense.
18:16, first half: Richmond makes 1-of-2 shots at the free throw line and Arkansas implements their first full court press of the arternoon.
19:21, first half: Braden Huff of Gonzaga is at the line and misses both free throws. RIchmond with the rebound and Arkansas is looking for their first basket. Muurinen had a nice little one-on-one floater fall good from about 12 feet.
Arkansas leads 2-0.
20:00, first half: Arkansas controlled the tip and off the Razorbacks go with Jordan Smith, Jr. leading the way. Richmond's shot doesn't fall but the loose rebound went off a Gonzaga player.
Pregame introductions: Miikka Muurinen was met with a huge ovation, but Arkansas their best for last as junior wing Billy Richmond III was met with a standing ovation. He will be a huge impact on this team as their lone returnee from last year's Sweet 16 squad.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com/college/arkansas as Live Updates: Arkansas Razorbacks Take On Gonzaga Bulldogs To Open Exhibition Play .
