Thriller in Tuscaloosa: Alabama Edges Arkansas in Double OT Battle
In a game that will be talked about for years, No. 25 Alabama outlasted No.
20 Arkansas in a double-overtime thriller, securing a 117-115 victory. Houston Mallette's clutch 3-pointer with just 51 seconds left in the second overtime sealed the deal for the Crimson Tide, but not before witnessing one of the season's most electrifying performances.
Arkansas freshman sensation Darius Acuff Jr. put on a show, dropping 49 points while playing every minute of the game. His performance was nothing short of spectacular, marking the second-highest scoring output in college basketball this season. Despite his heroics, Acuff missed key jumpers at the end of both overtimes, leaving the Razorbacks just short of a remarkable road win.
The game saw Arkansas relying heavily on a seven-man rotation, which became a critical factor in overtime as four players fouled out. This forced Coach John Calipari to rely on players with limited experience, a situation Alabama capitalized on to clinch the victory.
Labaron Philon Jr. and Aiden Sherrell were instrumental in Alabama's triumph, posting career highs with 35 and 26 points, respectively. Their efforts helped Alabama secure its fifth consecutive win, showcasing a resilience that saw them erase a 14-point deficit in the second half with an 18-4 run. The Tide even grabbed a late lead in regulation, only for Acuff's dramatic 3-pointer to push the game into extra time.
For Arkansas, Meleek Thomas and Billy Richmond III contributed significantly with 24 and 20 points each before fouling out. Sherrell's double-double, with 13 rebounds, and Amari Allen's 19 points and 11 boards, underscored Alabama's balanced attack. Aden Holloway also chipped in with 15 points, rounding out a well-rounded team effort.
Looking Ahead
Arkansas will look to bounce back as they host Missouri on Saturday, while Alabama hits the road to face LSU. With both teams tied at 19-7 and 9-4 in conference play, the race in the Southeastern Conference is heating up, promising more excitement in the coming weeks.