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Arkansas Razorbacks Defeat LSU 85-81 in SEC matchup
The No.20 Arkansas Razorbacks secured an 85-81 victory over LSU in a Southeastern Conference (SEC) game held saturday in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Freshman guard Darius Acuff Jr. led the Razorbacks with a career-high 31 points,24 of which were scored in the second half.
Acuff Jr.Leads the Charge
Darius Acuff Jr., currently the onyl freshman in NCAA Division I averaging at least 19 points and six assists, was instrumental in Arkansas’s comeback. He scored nine consecutive points and 12 of 15 during a crucial run in the second half, turning a 59-56 deficit into a 71-67 lead with six minutes remaining. ESPN Box Score
Razorbacks Remain Undefeated at Home
Acuff Jr.finished the game shooting 13 of 19 from the field, including four of seven from beyond the arc. With this win, the Razorbacks improved to 15-5 overall and maintained a perfect 12-0 record at home this season. Official Arkansas Razorbacks Website
Close Contest in the Second Half
A three-pointer by Acuff Jr. extended Arkansas’s lead to 77-69 with five minutes left on the clock. LSU fought back, with Dedan Thomas Jr.’s three-pointer narrowing the gap to 79-75 with 3:47 remaining, and a subsequent jumper bringing the score to 81-79 with 1:54 left.
Final Minutes and LSU’s Performance
Trevon Brazile responded with a three-pointer for Arkansas, pushing the lead to 84-79. Even though LSU’s Thomas Jr. scored a short jumper, Arkansas held on for the win.Mike Nwoko led the Tigers with 17 points, while Thomas Jr. added 15 points and five assists, and Pablo Tamba contributed 12 points and 10 rebounds. Official LSU Athletics Website
Game Details and Weather Conditions
The game featured six ties and 13 lead changes. Meleek Thomas scored 14 points, and Billy Richmond III added 11 for Arkansas. Acuff Jr. was particularly dominant in the second half,scoring 10 of 11 shots and dishing out five assists. The Razorbacks shot 67.7 percent from the field in the second half, scoring 52 points. The game was moved up two hours earlier than scheduled due to a winter storm, with the temperature at tipoff being 13°F.
Arkansas Home Streak Continues
Arkansas has now won 16 consecutive home games, with their last home loss occurring on February 8, 2025, against Alabama.