The No. 14 Arkansas Razorbacks basketball team finds themselves in a close battle against the No. 3 Purdue Boilermakers in a charity exhibition held at Bud Walton Arena. At halftime, Arkansas holds a slim lead with the score standing at 31-26.

The Boilermakers, led by head coach Matt Painter in his 19th season with Purdue, are hoping to build upon their impressive 29-6 overall record from last season. Under Painter's guidance, Purdue has achieved a commendable 413-198 (209-120 Big Ten) record, making it to the tournament 14 times, including five Sweet 16 appearances and one Elite Eight run.

One of Purdue's key players returning this season is Zach Edey, the reigning consensus National Player of the Year. Standing at an imposing 7-foot-4 and weighing 300 pounds, Edey showcased his dominance in the previous season, averaging 22.3 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game, while shooting an impressive 60.7% from the field.

Despite Purdue's past success and the return of seven of their top-eight scorers, it is the Arkansas Razorbacks who are currently favored by 3.5 points, based on BetSaracen's odds.

This exhibition game marks the unofficial third meeting between the Razorbacks and Boilermakers. Purdue secured a victory in their initial encounter, a 57-51 triumph at the 1939 Sugar Bowl Classic. However, the Hogs bounced back in their second matchup, defeating Purdue 78-68 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament back in 1983.

As the game unfolded, both teams battled to establish dominance on the court. Trey Kaufman-Renn of Purdue scored the first points of the game with a layup, giving the Boilermakers a 2-0 lead. Arkansas quickly responded with a Davonte Davis layup, but Purdue extended their lead with a Braden Smith three-pointer, making it 7-2.

The Razorbacks fought back, with Chandler Lawson draining a three-pointer and Khalif Battle hitting a tough pullup midrange shot, tying the game at 12-12. The back-and-forth action continued, and at the first timeout, Purdue held a slim 12-10 lead.

Following the timeout, both teams traded baskets, with Layden Blocker and Trevon Brazile making crucial contributions for Arkansas. The Razorbacks managed to tie the game at 22-22, causing the crowd to erupt in support.

In the remaining minutes of the first half, Arkansas seized the opportunity to expand their lead. El Ellis and Tramon Mark chipped in with points, helping the Razorbacks to a 31-26 advantage at halftime.

As the second half began, it was Trevon Brazile who ignited the Razorbacks with a three-pointer, extending their lead to 37-28. However, Purdue's Zach Edey responded with a series of strong plays, including thunderous dunks and free throw conversions, showing his impact on the game.

With halftime approaching, Arkansas holds a slender lead over Purdue, keeping fans on the edge of their seats. Both teams are expected to make adjustments during the break, setting the stage for an exciting second half as they battle for victory in this charity exhibition.

The game can be followed through live scoring updates, highlights, and more on HawgBeat for those unable to attend or stream it live on SEC Network Plus.

The final outcome of this closely contested matchup will be revealed soon, determining which team emerges victorious in this highly anticipated charity exhibition between the No. 14 Arkansas Razorbacks and the No. 3 Purdue Boilermakers.