An Instant Classic at Alabama: Arkansas Falls in Double Overtime as Acuff Makes History

What a game. What a classic.

Despite a historic performance from freshman guard Darius Acuff Jr., No. 20 Arkansas Razorbacks saw their three-game winning streak end in a thrilling 117–115 double-overtime loss to No. 25 Alabama Crimson Tide on Wednesday night in Tuscaloosa, in one of the most dramatic games of the season.

Arkansas built a first-half lead and remained in control deep into the second half before Alabama surged late, forced overtime, and eventually double-overtime. Acuff poured in a historic 49 points, but it was not enough to overcome Alabama’s depth and late momentum in a contest that stayed fiercely competitive from the opening tip to the final buzzer, a game that may stand as one of the defining classics of the season.

Early Control and First-Half Surge

Arkansas won the opening tip, with Acuff scoring first on a midrange jumper off a screen from Pringle. Pringle followed with an and-one, and the Hogs jumped out to a 9–5 lead after a Richmond fastbreak layup.

Alabama responded quickly. An alley-oop slam by Jemison off a Sherrell feed ignited a 10–0 run that gave the Tide a 15–9 lead at the first media timeout. Arkansas steadied itself, stacking defensive stops and tying the game at 15 after a 6–0 run.

The game remained a back-and-forth battle. Arkansas led 24–20 at the under-12 timeout, then pushed the margin further with a 13–0 run highlighted by an Acuff second-chance three, a Thomas triple off Ewin’s block, and a Richmond fastbreak layup.

By halftime, Arkansas held a 57–47 lead, with Acuff and Thomas combining for 38 points on 14-of-21 shooting, including 8-of-10 from three-point range.

Second-Half Momentum Shifts

Arkansas opened the second half strong. Brazile stole the ball from Allen and slammed it home, and Thomas hit back-to-back threes to push the lead to 65–51.

Alabama responded behind Philon, Jemison, and Sherrell, slowly chipping away. Richmond picked up his third foul with 17:01 remaining, forcing Arkansas to adjust its rotation. The Tide surged again, tying the game and eventually taking the lead after a prolonged scoring run.

With Alabama in rhythm, Acuff once again carried Arkansas, keeping the Razorbacks within reach with a series of tough finishes and timely threes. A late-game sequence saw Acuff drill a three with under 12 seconds remaining in regulation to tie the game at 95–95, sending the contest to overtime.

First Overtime

Wagner opened overtime with a corner three. Brazile blocked Sherrell at the other end, and Richmond followed with a midrange jumper to give Arkansas a 100–95 lead.

Alabama responded with free throws and a Mallette three to take a 102–100 lead. Acuff answered at the line, Brazile split free throws, and Wrightsell split a pair to tie the game at 103.

The teams traded free throws and missed chances. With 7.3 seconds left, Arkansas had the ball, but Acuff’s pull-up jumper missed, and Ewin’s follow rolled out, sending the game to double overtime.

Double Overtime

Acuff opened the second overtime by finding Richmond for an easy layup. The teams traded free throws and baskets in another tense stretch.

Acuff was fouled on a three-point attempt and made all three free throws to give Arkansas a 113–112 lead. After Richmond fouled out and Holloway made both free throws, Mallette drilled a three to push Alabama ahead 117–113.

Brazile answered with a dunk out of the timeout to make it 117–115. Alabama missed a layup with nine seconds left, but Arkansas could not convert at the other end. Acuff missed a floater, and Ewin’s clean look at a put-back dunk attempt rolled off as the buzzer sounded.

Alabama held on for the 117–115 double-overtime win.

Historic Night for Acuff

Arkansas had four players in double figures, but Darius Acuff Jr. led the way with a career-high 49 points on 16-of-27 shooting (59.3 percent) and 6-of-10 from three-point range (60 percent), along with a team-high five assists. The performance placed Acuff firmly in the program record books, as his 49 points ranked as the second most in a game in program history, the most in an SEC game in program history, the most by a freshman in program history, and the most by a freshman against a ranked opponent in college basketball history.

“He’s unique and special, and I would imagine everybody saw it today,” said John Calipari after the game. “His body language, his ability to make everybody better, his will to win and make big baskets. He thrives in that, and there’s not many. I’ve coached some really good guards over the years, and I’ve had a few this way, but he’s right there with them.”

Acuff had two late chances to win or tie the game, including a go-ahead fadeaway in the first overtime and a floater in double overtime, but neither attempt fell.

“It doesn’t mean nothing, we lost,” Acuff said. “Doesn’t matter how many I had, we lost. Wish I could take the ‘L’ back. But we lost. Just a miss. Floater, backboard, clean look. I had an easy floater. It’s something I work on every day, just missed it.”

Arkansas entered the game without both Karter Knox and Isaiah Sealy, leaving the Razorbacks with only seven rotation players available. Freshman guard Meleek Thomas finished second for Arkansas with 24 points on 8-of-13 shooting (61.5 percent) and 6-of-8 from three (75 percent).

For Alabama, sophomore guard Labaron Philon Jr. led the Crimson Tide with 35 points on 11-of-21 shooting (52.4 percent), while sophomore forward Aiden Sherrell added 26 points on 10-of-13 shooting and a team-high 13 rebounds.

Arkansas shot 43-of-87 from the field (49.4 percent) and 13-of-26 from three-point range (50 percent). Alabama shot 40-of-71 (56.3 percent) and 10-of-29 from deep (34.5 percent). The Crimson Tide out-rebounded Arkansas 43–36, outscored the Razorbacks 58–46 in the paint, and finished with 16 assists to Arkansas’ 15.

What’s Next

Arkansas will have two days off before returning home to Bud Walton Arena for a two game home stand that begins Saturday, when the Missouri Tigers visit Fayetteville. Tipoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. CST, with the game televised nationally on ESPN.