The Missouri State Bears got off to a good start for the first time in three road games but couldn’t sustain their early success and came away on the short end of a 70-51 non-conference basketball score to the Arkansas Razorbacks Monday night at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, Ark.

The Bears saw an end to their four-game win streak on the young season and slipped to 4-2 for the year. Arkansas won its fifth in a row and improved to 7-1.

The Bears trailed 36-31 at the halftime and sliced the deficit to two points twice early in the second frame. The last time they were within hailing distance was at 44-40 five minutes into the second half when the Razorbacks took advantage of a turnover and some Missouri State fouls to run off nine points in a row for a 53-40 margin at the 12-minute break. The Bears were never within single digits again as the Razorbacks had a 27-15 rebound margin after the break and took advantage of a volume of free throws.

Missouri State, after making nine of its first 12 shots from the field in the game and hitting .565 (13/23) from the floor in the first half, managed only seven buckets in 32 shots (.219) after intermission. The Bears nailed one of 14 three-point tries the second half.

Taking advantage of an aggressive defense and good early ball movement, Missouri State jumped out to 10-4 and 21-15 leads early in the game. An 8-0 run pushed Arkansas in front, 23-21. The Bears tied it at 23-23 but the Razorbacks then scored five quick points and went ahead to stay.

  Missouri State finished with just .364 (20/55) shooting from the floor. The Bears were beaten 42-30 on the boards and committed 23 turnovers. Non-starters Gary Ervin and Michael Washington led the Hogs with 12 points each as the Arkansas bench contributed 36 of the team’s 70 points. Deven Mitchell led the Bears with 12 points and Chris Cooks scored 11.

 The Bears are right back in action Wednesday (Dec. 5) when they play host to UNC Wilmington in Hammons Student Center. Tipoff is 7:05 p.m.