Darius Acuff Jr. scored 24 of his career-high 31 factors within the second half and the No. 20 Arkansas Razorbacks overcame an eight-point deficit earlier than holding off LSU 85-81 in an SEC recreation Saturday in Fayetteville, Ark.
Acuff, the one freshman in NCAA Division I averaging at the very least 19 factors and 6 assists, scored 9 straight Arkansas factors and had 12 of 15 because the Razorbacks turned a 59-56 deficit right into a 71-67 lead with six minutes remaining.
He was 13 of 19 from the sphere and made 4 of seven 3-pointers because the Razorbacks (15-5, 5-2 SEC) improved to 12-0 at residence this season.
Acuff’s 3-pointer gave the Razorbacks their largest lead, 77-69, with 5 minutes remaining.
Mike Nwoko scored 17 factors for the Tigers (13-7, 1-6), who led 45-37 two minutes into the second half. Dedan Thomas Jr. had 15 factors and 5 assists; Pablo Tamba had 12 factors and 10 rebounds.
Thomas’ 3-pointer introduced LSU shut at 79-75 with 3:47 remaining, and his jumper with 1:54 remaining trimmed Arkansas’ result in 81-79.
Trevon Brazile’s 3-pointer pushed the result in 84-79, the Hogs’ eleventh area aim of their final 12 makes an attempt, earlier than Thomas made a brief jumper to shut to 84-81. Acuff missed two free throws, however LSU missed a shot on the different finish and the Razorbacks held on.
Meleek Thomas had 14 factors, and Billy Richmond III had 11 factors for Arkansas in a recreation that featured six ties and 13 lead modifications.
Acuff was 10 of 11 with 5 assists within the second half, by which the Razorbacks scored 52 factors and shot 67.7 p.c from the sphere.
LSU led 45-37 early within the second half earlier than the Razorbacks bought six factors from Acuff in a 13-5 Arkansas run to tie the sport at 50 with 12:56 remaining.
Arkansas has gained 16 straight residence video games since an 85-81 loss to Alabama on Feb. 8, 2025.
The sport began two hours sooner than beforehand scheduled due to a winter storm. The temperature in Fayetteville was 13° F at tipoff.
–Discipline Stage Media
