**TUSCALOOSA, Ala. ** - Darius Acuff Jr. delivered an unforgettable performance on Wednesday night at Coleman Coliseum, even though No.
20 Arkansas fell short in a double-overtime thriller against No. 25 Alabama, 117-115.
Acuff Jr. was undeniably the star, dropping an impressive 49 points, setting a new benchmark for Arkansas freshmen and marking the highest point total by a Razorback in a Southeastern Conference game. He came tantalizingly close to breaking Rotnei Clarke’s program record of 51 points from 2009.
Acuff Jr. also shattered Scotty Thurman’s single-season freshman scoring record, surpassing Thurman’s 540-point mark from the 1992-93 season. His performance eclipsed Todd Day’s 1992 SEC game record of 43 points against LSU.
The freshman sensation set the pace early, scoring 22 points in the first half and keeping Arkansas in the game with a clutch three-pointer to tie it at 95-95, pushing the contest into overtime. Arkansas briefly surged ahead in overtime, sparked by a DJ Wagner three-pointer and a Billy Richmond jumper.
However, Alabama responded with a seven-point run to reclaim the lead. Acuff Jr. momentarily put Arkansas back in front with two free throws, but Alabama evened the score again with their own from the line.
In the second overtime, Acuff Jr. nailed three free throws after being fouled on a three-point attempt, giving Arkansas a slim one-point advantage. Yet, Alabama’s Houston Mallette delivered a critical three-pointer, sealing the game with less than a minute remaining. Malique Ewin’s potential game-tying dunk attempt off an Acuff Jr. miss just missed the mark as time expired.
Arkansas entered halftime with a 57-47 lead, shooting a scorching 60.5%. However, Alabama roared back in the second half, hitting 76.5% of their shots and missing only five attempts.
Three Razorbacks reached double figures, with Acuff’s historic night leading the way. He also contributed five rebounds and five assists, committing just one turnover while playing the entire 50 minutes.
Meleek Thomas added 24 points, fueled by hitting 6-of-8 from beyond the arc, along with six rebounds. Billy Richmond chipped in with 20 points and six boards.
For Alabama, Labaron Philon was outstanding with 35 points and seven assists. Aiden Sherrell recorded a double-double with 26 points and 13 rebounds, while Amari Allen added 19 points and 11 rebounds. Aden Holloway was perfect from the field and the line, scoring 15 points.
Arkansas will return home for two upcoming games. First, they face Missouri on Saturday, with a 3 pm (CT) tipoff on ESPN. Then, they host Texas A&M on Wednesday, with an 8 pm (CT) start on ESPN2.
First Half Recap: ARK: 57 - ALA: 47
Arkansas’s 57 points in the first half were their second-highest of the season and set a new record for an SEC road game against a ranked opponent. Despite an early Alabama surge, Arkansas responded with a 20-3 run to take control.
Acuff Jr. set a freshman scoring record with a three-pointer, finishing the half with 22 points. Meleek Thomas contributed 16 points, while Alabama’s Philon and Allen each scored 11.
Second Half Recap: ARK: 38 - ALA: 48
Arkansas started strong, but Alabama’s offensive explosion tied the game midway through the second half. Despite a late push from Arkansas, Alabama’s clutch free throws sent the game into overtime. Acuff Jr. added 19 points in this period.
Overtime Recaps
In the first overtime, both teams exchanged blows, but neither could pull ahead decisively, ending in a 10-10 tie. The second overtime saw Arkansas strike first, but Alabama’s late-game heroics sealed the victory.
Game Notes
Arkansas maintained their starting lineup of Acuff Jr., Thomas, Richmond III, Trevon Brazile, and Nick Pringle. Acuff Jr. opened the scoring and set several records, including most points by a Razorback in an SEC game and the most field goals made in such a contest. His 49 points were the second-most by any Razorback, showcasing a night that will be remembered in Arkansas basketball lore.