Arkansas 73, Sam Houston State 68: Coty Clarke led the way with 20 points as the Razorbacks outlasted the visiting Bearkats in the opener for both teams.

Marshawn Powell, coming back from a knee injury that limited him to two games last season, scored 14 points and frontcourt partner Hunter Mickelson added 11 for Arkansas, which made 26 of 32 free throws.

Darius Gatson had 20 points and James Thomas 14 for Sam Houston State, which trimmed an 11-point Razorback lead to 70-66 with 51 seconds left. Clarke sealed it with three free throws.

The Bearkats trailed 19-18 before Arkansas scored 10 straight points and took a 37-29 halftime lead. Clarke and Mickelson had nine points each for the Razorbacks, who forced 11 turnovers in the opening 20 minutes.

Arkansas was without last season’s SEC freshman scoring leader BJ Young, who was suspended for the game because of a violation of team rules.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Arkansas has won both meetings with Sam Houston State. … The Bearkats play Hardin-Simmons in their home opener Tuesday before traveling to No. 1 Indiana on Nov. 15. … Sam Houston State had only six free-throw attempts and made four, but outrebounded Arkansas 31-21.