FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Utah Valley University dropped its final contest prior to the start of WAC play, 79-46, at the University of Arkansas on Saturday at Bud Walton Arena.
 
Donte Williams had 14 points to lead the Wolverines (5-9), who were without leading scorer and rebounder Mitch Bruneel due to illness. The Razorbacks (11-2) have now won five straight overall, 26 in a row in non-conference home games and 52 consecutive in non-conference home contests against unranked opponents.

"Arkansas is an outstanding, well-coached team with multi-talented personnel," UVU head coach Dick Hunsaker. "I thought we worked hard and did the best we could. Hopefully it's a game we can grow from."

Arkansas, of the SEC, led 27-14 with just under seven minutes remaining in the opening half when Marcel Davis began a quick 7-0 Utah Valley spurt with a 3-pointer followed by two free throws and a layup from Williams. That got the Wolverines within six, 27-21.

From there the Razorbacks closed the half on a 15-2 spurt over the final 4:54 to take a 42-23 lead into halftime. Arkansas out-rebounded Utah Valley 55-30 and used eight steals and six blocks in holding the Wolverines to 29.3 percent shooting (17-for-58). The Razorbacks also connected on 21-of-25 from the free-throw line while UVU was just 4-of-8 from the line.

Chad Ross scored eight points while making his first start and Alex Carr knocked down a pair of late 3-pointers to finish with six points for UVU. Williams also had three rebounds and four assists for the Wolverines.

Alandise Harris had 17 points to lead Arkansas, which sits just outside the top 25 in both the AP Poll and USA Today Coaches polls. Wooden Award and Oscar Robertson candidate Bobby Portis finished with 12 points and nine rebounds and Michael Qualls added 11 points and nine boards.

Arkansas shot 40.3 percent (27-for-67) overall but was just 4-for-21 (19 percent) from three.

The Wolverines are now set to open defense of their 2013-14 WAC championship next Saturday, Jan. 10 against Seattle University at home in the UCCU Center. Tip-off for that contest is slated for 7:05 p.m. MT.