In a spirited clash at Bud Walton Arena, Arkansas emerged victorious over Texas A&M with a 99-84 win, thanks to a relentless defensive effort that forced 16 turnovers. The Aggies started strong, with Rashaun Agee making a statement early by scoring a quick 3-pointer and a powerful dunk, giving Texas A&M a 9-2 lead. However, Arkansas quickly turned the tide, led by Billy Richmond III's 15-point first half, securing an 11-point halftime advantage.
As the second half unfolded, the Razorbacks extended their lead to 15 points, seemingly in control. But Texas A&M's Zach Clemence had other plans, lighting up the scoreboard with a career-high 29 points, narrowing the gap to 61-57 with 11 minutes left. Despite the Aggies' resilience, turnovers and fouls proved costly, preventing them from overtaking the Hogs.
A bright spot for Texas A&M was their defensive effort against Arkansas' Darius Acuff Jr., the SEC's leading scorer. The Aggies limited him to 7-of-19 shooting and 1-of-6 from beyond the arc, although he still managed to put up 22 points. Meanwhile, Richmond III continued to shine, leading Arkansas with 23 points.
Looking ahead, Texas A&M returns to Reed Arena for a showdown with their in-state rivals, the Texas Longhorns, set for Saturday at 3 p.m. CT on ESPN2.
The game saw the Aggies' late comeback fall short, with Arkansas pulling away in the final moments. Clemence was a standout for Texas A&M, contributing not only with his scoring but also by grabbing two rebounds and a steal.
As the clock wound down, Arkansas maintained an 81-70 lead with five minutes remaining, capitalizing on Texas A&M's turnovers and fouls. Acuff found his rhythm in the second half, adding 14 points to his tally.
The Razorbacks' dominance was evident as they extended their lead to 76-64 with seven minutes to go. Despite Texas A&M's shooting efficiency at 50% overall and 33% from three-point range, the Hogs' pressure was unrelenting.
Earlier in the contest, Arkansas had surged ahead with a 50-35 lead, buoyed by three players reaching double figures. At halftime, the Aggies trailed 37-28, hampered by 13 turnovers and eight fouls that allowed Arkansas to capitalize.
Agee led Texas A&M in scoring at halftime with 13 points and six rebounds, while Clemence added seven points. The Aggies' struggles from beyond the arc continued, shooting just 20% in the first half.
The Razorbacks' 7-0 run in the first half gave them a firm 29-18 lead, as Texas A&M's shooting woes from three-point range persisted. Despite a strong start, the Aggies couldn't maintain their momentum, with Arkansas taking the lead 14-11 after a 12-0 run.
In the opening minutes, Texas A&M had jumped out to a 9-2 lead, energized by Agee's early scoring burst. But the Razorbacks quickly responded, setting the stage for their eventual victory.
Starting Lineups:
Texas A&M Aggies:
- G, Marcus Hill
- G, Rylan Griffen
- G, Jacari Lane
- G, Rubén Dominguez
- F, Rashaun Agee
Arkansas Razorbacks:
- G, Meleek Thomas
- G, Darius Acuff Jr.
- F, Trevon Brazile
- F, Nick Pringle
- F, Billy Richmond III
The game was broadcast on ESPN2, with streaming options available through the ESPN App and FuboTV. Texas A&M's leaders included Rashaun Agee in points and rebounds, while Arkansas was paced by Darius Acuff Jr. in scoring and assists.