Razorback Basketball: Powell Shines in Arkansas Red-White Game

FAYETTEVILLE — Michael Washington and Courtney Fortson picked up right where they left off from last season.

Washington scored 14 and Fortson 13 in leading the White team to a 35-26 victory in the Red-White game Friday at Walton Arena.

Freshman forward Marshawn Powell took the spotlight with 19 points for the Red team, going 7-for-11 from the field and hitting two three pointers in the process. 

"Marshawn since he set foot on this campus has done well," coach John Pelphrey said. "Recruiting him, he was always basketball savvy and he's athletic, but we've never seen him this fast."

Powell said after the game he had never run this much before, and that the practices and sprints have led to losing weight and increases his stamina.  Of course, the first time to play in front of Arkansas fans gave him new life on the court, too.

"I came here so out of shape," Powell said. "But it was real fun, especially in front of the home crowd."

The Red team kept it close, tying the game at 15 in the first half before Fortson scored as the 12-minute half came to an end. After that, it was balance by Washington and Fortson that helped the White team break away. The Red team was outscored 18-11 in the second half, and Powell was responsible for 10 of those 11 points.

Washington, a senior center was given credit by Pelphrey and his teammates Friday for teaching and leading the younger group of players - especially Powell - this season.