The Arkansas Razorbacks showed why they’re climbing the SEC ranks, storming back from a second-half deficit to edge out LSU 85-81 on Saturday night at Bud Walton Arena. It wasn’t just a win-it was a statement. Down 45-37 with just under 18 minutes to play, the No. 20-ranked Hogs flipped the script behind a breakout performance from freshman point guard Darius Acuff Jr., who absolutely took over down the stretch.
Acuff poured in 24 of his game-high 31 points in the second half, putting on a scoring clinic that had the Fayetteville crowd on its feet. He was surgical with his shot selection, going 13-for-19 from the field (68.4%) and 4-of-7 from deep (57.1%). Whether it was pushing the pace in transition or creating his own look in the halfcourt, Acuff looked every bit the floor general Arkansas fans were promised-and then some.
But this wasn’t a one-man show. Fellow freshman Meleek Thomas backed him up with 14 points of his own, knocking down 6-of-9 shots and hitting two of his three attempts from beyond the arc. The young backcourt duo showed poise beyond their years, especially in a game that could’ve easily slipped away early in the second half.
Arkansas as a team shot the ball with confidence and efficiency, finishing 56.7% from the field (34-of-60) and a sharp 45.5% from three (10-of-22). That kind of offensive rhythm is tough to beat, especially when it’s paired with 18 assists-a clear sign of ball movement and unselfish play.
LSU, meanwhile, had its moments. Junior guard Dedan Thomas Jr. led the Tigers with 18 points, but it took him 20 shots to get there (7-of-20).
Forward Mike Nwoko added 14 points on a more efficient 5-of-9 shooting night, helping LSU keep things tight for most of the contest. The Tigers also won the battle on the boards, out-rebounding Arkansas 36-28, and they had a strong presence in the paint.
But where LSU struggled was from deep. The Tigers hit just 3-of-15 from three-point range (20%), which ultimately made it hard to keep pace once Arkansas found its shooting groove. Combine that with a 24-12 disadvantage in bench points, and it’s clear the Razorbacks had more depth and firepower when it mattered most.
This win pushes Arkansas to 15-5 overall and 5-2 in SEC play-solid footing as the conference schedule heats up. For LSU, now sitting at 13-7 and 1-6 in SEC play, it’s another tough loss in a season that’s starting to slip out of reach.
Still, the energy inside Bud Walton Arena was palpable, even on a snowy night in Fayetteville. Razorback fans showed up, and their team delivered. And if Darius Acuff Jr. keeps playing like this, Arkansas might just have a star in the making-and a real shot at making noise come March.