Thiero and Fland each score 22 as No. 23 Arkansas beats Oakland 92-62 after strong 2nd half

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) — Adou Thiero and Boogie Fland each scored 22 points and No. 23 Arkansas put away Oakland 92-62 in its final non-conference game Monday night.

Thiero made 8 of 12 shots and had six rebounds and six assists for the Razorbacks, who shot 60.3% overall. Fland, who had 21 points in the second half, hit five 3-pointers and finished with six assists, and Karter Knox scored in double figures for the third straight game with 17.

First-year Arkansas coach John Calipari improved to 2-1 in his career against the Golden Grizzlies, who upset Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament in Calipari's final game with the Wildcats before accepting the Razorbacks job.

Arkansas (11-2) led 42-39 at halftime before scoring 50 second-half points on 63.3% shooting. Oakland shot 25.8% after halftime.

The Golden Grizzlies (4-10) received 18 points and nine rebounds from Tuburu Naivalurua and 17 points from Allen Mukeba.

Oakland: The Golden Grizzlies gave the Razorbacks fits on the interior for a while, scoring 42 points in the paint, including 30 in the first half.

Arkansas: The Razorbacks, winners of six in a row entering SEC play, averaged 89.5 points in their last four games of the calendar year.

The Razorbacks led 45-42 early in the second half before an 11-1 run, capped by a Fland 3-pointer, blew the game open.

Arkansas shot 10 of 22 from 3-point range, while Oakland went 2 for 17 from deep.

Arkansas opens its conference slate Saturday at No. 1 Tennessee, and Oakland hosts Milwaukee on Thursday.

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Oakland forward Allen Mukeba (23) is fouled by Arkansas guard D.J. Wagner (21) as he drives to the basket during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Monday, Dec. 30, 2024, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)

Oakland guard Isaiah Jones (7) and Arkansas forward Karter Knox (11) fight for a rebound during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Monday, Dec. 30, 2024, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)

ISLAMABAD (AP) — A gas cylinder explosion early Sunday after a wedding reception at a home in Pakistan’s capital killed at least eight people, including the bride and groom, police and officials said.

The blast occurred as guests who had gathered to celebrate the couple were sleeping at the house, causing part of the house to collapse, according to the Islamabad police. Seven people were injured.

In a statement, police said the explosion occurred in a residential area in the heart of the city. A government administrator, Sahibzada Yousaf, said authorities were alerted about the blast early Sunday and officers are still investigating. He said some nearby homes were also damaged.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over the loss of lives and offered condolences to the victims’ families, according to a statement from his office. He directed health authorities to ensure the injured receive the best possible treatment and ordered a full investigation.

Many Pakistani households rely on liquefied petroleum gas cylinders because of low natural gas pressure, and such cylinders have been linked to deadly accidents caused by gas leaks. Police said investigations were ongoing.

Government officials survey the damage of a home caused by a gas cylinder explosion hours after a wedding reception, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Ehsan Shahzad)