A Late Push Was Not Enough as Arkansas Falls 90-76 at Georgia

No. 17 Arkansas suffered another SEC loss on Saturday afternoon, falling 90-76 to No. 21 Georgia in Athens. Whether the Razorbacks entered the game overconfident or simply sluggish, the result ultimately felt earned based on how the afternoon unfolded.

Georgia jumped out to an early double digit lead and controlled much of the game from the start. The Bulldogs opened the afternoon on an 11-0 run and eventually built a lead as large as 19 points. Arkansas showed resilience by battling back to tie the game late in the second half, but Georgia absorbed the comeback and responded with a decisive closing surge to secure the double figure win.

A Disastrous Start Sets the Tone

Much like their performance against Auburn the previous weekend, Arkansas struggled badly out of the gate. The Razorbacks lacked energy, composure, and offensive rhythm, appearing shell shocked as Georgia raced to an early advantage.

Georgia won the opening tip and immediately imposed its pace with a 9-0 run. Catchings airballed an early three but recovered his own miss and drilled a second attempt moments later. Darius Acuff Jr. and Pringle each committed early turnovers, prompting head coach John Calipari to call an early 30 second timeout.

Coming out of the timeout, Trevon Brazile had the ball stolen by Ross, leading to a dunk by Blue Cain. Georgia extended its run to 11-0. Acuff responded with a three, but Somto Cyril muscled in a basket over Malique Ewin to make it 13-3 at the first media timeout.

Arkansas was just 1 of 4 from the floor at that point, with three turnovers leading to four Georgia points. The Bulldogs shot 6 of 8 from the field, held a 4-1 rebounding edge, and owned an 8-0 advantage in paint points. All five Georgia starters scored during the opening stretch as Arkansas struggled to settle in.

James swatted an Ewin layup attempt before Wilkins tipped in a miss from James. Knox was called for a flagrant foul after delivering a forearm to Cyril, sending the Georgia big man to the locker room. Knox then turned the ball over, leading to a Wilkins layup and one. The free throw pushed Georgia’s lead to 19-3.

Brazile scored a layup before James answered with a hook shot. Thomas missed a jumper that led to a rebound by Abson, but Billy Richmond stole the ball and was awarded a goaltending call to make it 21-7. Pringle split a pair of free throws before Cyril returned and finished a lob at the rim.

Arkansas Settles In but Remains Chasing

Richmond blocked a Bailey three, triggering a run out dunk by Brazile that finally pushed Arkansas into double digits. Acuff nearly forced a steal on a loose ball with Cain, but Georgia recovered and scored on a Catchings layup. Richmond hit a step back jumper before the media timeout to make it 25-12.

Brazile tied up Bailey defensively and scored a layup, but Cyril answered with a block on Richmond that led to a Cain three. Another Pringle turnover resulted in a Jeremiah Wilkinson three. A brief 4-0 Arkansas spurt, capped by an Acuff layup over Cyril, cut the deficit to 31-18. Cyril went down again shortly afterward and was forced to the bench.

Richmond forced a miss by Cain and Acuff converted on the run out. Wilkinson missed a shot, leading to a transition dunk by Ewin that brought Arkansas within single digits at 31-22. Out of the timeout, Wilkins drilled a corner three. Richmond answered with a second chance floater, and Ewin later kicked out to Knox for a dunk after an offensive rebound.

Wilkins hit another three as Georgia maintained control, while Ewin continued to battle inside. Both teams went cold for a stretch before Georgia took a 40-28 lead at the media timeout. Arkansas endured a prolonged scoring drought, going several minutes without a made field goal. Wilkinson hit another three before Thomas scored inside.

Wilkinson then made a layup to push the lead to 45-32. Arkansas had one final chance before halftime after a Georgia shot clock violation, but Richmond threw an inbounds pass directly to Cain, who missed the layup. The halftime score remained 45-32.

Second Half Adjustments Spark a Rally

Cain opened the second half with a quick three. Ewin, starting the half in place of Pringle, tip dunked his own miss. Cyril scored on a second chance layup while being fouled by Acuff, though he missed the free throw. Georgia unsuccessfully challenged the rebound call.

After a turnover by Richmond led to a Georgia fast break basket, Ewin stole the ball from Wilkinson. Following several sloppy possessions by both teams, Catchings hit a three. Wagner forced a turnover that resulted in a Knox three to make it 55-39.

That shot marked Arkansas’ first made three since the opening minutes of the game. The Razorbacks showed renewed energy, forcing turnovers and converting at the foul line. Pringle and Abson each made two free throws, though Georgia continued to answer at the other end.

Knox buried another corner three to cut the deficit to 59-46. Arkansas continued to force turnovers, and Ewin, Richmond, and Acuff helped fuel a defensive surge. Richmond blocked Cyril at the rim, and Acuff finished a layup. A Richmond basket made it 59-52 before he exited briefly due to cramps.

Ross hit a three, but Arkansas answered again. Thomas hit a three, Wagner scored on a layup, and Acuff converted inside to bring the Razorbacks within one at 62-61. The run totaled 18-3 in favor of Arkansas.

Momentum Swings Back to Georgia

Georgia responded quickly. Cain scored inside, and after free throws at both ends, Cain hit a step back jumper to make it 68-65. Acuff drilled a three to tie the game, then moments later tied it again at 70-70 with a pair of free throws.

With 5:52 remaining, Georgia regained control. A 5-0 spurt stalled Arkansas’ momentum. Wilkinson hit a blow by layup, then later drilled a deep three over Pringle to make it 75-70. Arkansas had opportunities but missed key shots, including open looks from beyond the arc.

Richmond returned and forced a turnover, but his layup attempt was blocked by Cyril. Wilkinson then hit another three to make it 78-70. Georgia followed with a fast break layup, extending the run to 10-0.

Despite late free throws by Ewin and a second chance basket from Thomas, Georgia closed the game at the line and through turnovers forced by Arkansas’ press. The Bulldogs finished strong to secure the 90-76 win.

By the Numbers

Arkansas finished 29 of 72 from the field, shooting 40.3 percent overall, and went just 5 of 21 from three point range for 23.8 percent. Georgia shot more efficiently, finishing 32 of 69 overall for 46.4 percent and 12 of 33 from beyond the arc.

The turnover margin was tight, with Georgia holding an 18-17 edge, but the difference came in how those miscues translated to points. The Bulldogs outscored Arkansas 29-15 in points off turnovers.

Arkansas placed three players in double figures, led by Darius Acuff Jr., who scored 20 points on 7 of 16 shooting. He also finished with six assists, six rebounds, four steals, and four turnovers in 39 minutes. Billy Richmond and Malique Ewin added 12 points apiece. Richmond chipped in eight rebounds, three blocks, and a steal, while Ewin recorded seven rebounds, one block, and one steal.

Jeremiah Wilkinson led Georgia with 20 points on 7 of 16 shooting, including 4 of 10 from three point range, and added four steals. Blue Cain scored 18 points, with 13 coming in the second half, along with two steals and three assists. Bulldogs center Somto Cyril finished with six points, five rebounds, and a career high seven blocks.

Next at Home

The defeat was Arkansas’ second in SEC play this season, underscoring the need for greater consistency, cleaner offensive execution, and sharper starts as conference play continues. The Razorbacks will look to respond Tuesday when they return to Bud Walton Arena to host the No. 10 Vanderbilt Commodores. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. CST, with the game airing on ESPN.