Arkansas Leans on Late Execution to Defeat LSU

Amid freezing conditions in Fayetteville, No. 20 Arkansas overcame a sluggish start to rally in the second half, narrowly defeating LSU 85-81 on Saturday at Bud Walton Arena. The cold outside seemed to seep into the arena, slowing the Razorbacks’ early rhythm as they struggled to match the urgency of a Tigers team intent on setting the tone.

The second half belonged to freshman guard Darius Acuff Jr. Scoring 24 of his 31 points after the break, Acuff turned a tense, back-and-forth contest into a demonstration of poise and precision. Each basket and timely assist steadied the Razorbacks, sparking their offense when it was needed most. His dominant performance carried Arkansas through the final minutes, securing a second consecutive SEC home victory and leaving the Bud Walton crowd buzzing long after the final whistle.

The win elevated Arkansas to 15-5 overall and 5-2 in Southeastern Conference play. LSU fell to 13-7 and 1-6 in league action, unable to slow Acuff’s second-half surge.

LSU Controls Early Momentum

After losing five of its previous six games, LSU opened with urgency and physical play that Arkansas was slow to match. The Tigers scored first through Mackinnon, and an early Arkansas turnover led to a dunk by Nwoko. Freshman Darius Acuff Jr. answered with a three-pointer to put the Razorbacks on the board, but LSU stayed in front behind baskets from Tamba and Thomas.

Arkansas briefly seized momentum with a 4-0 run capped by a steal and dunk from Trevon Brazile, giving the Razorbacks a 9-8 lead at the first media timeout. The advantage did not last. Out of the break, Reece found Nwoko for an easy layup, igniting a 7-2 LSU run fueled by Arkansas turnovers. Mackinnon followed with free throws to push the lead to 16-11.

LSU continued to respond to every Arkansas push. After Ewin scored on a putback, Nwoko answered again, and Thomas added a runner to make it 18-15 at the second media timeout. Following the break, Arkansas used relentless rebounding from Richmond and Knox to spark a 7-0 run, highlighted by a Knox corner three and an Ewin alley-oop, giving the Razorbacks a 20-18 lead.

The Tigers quickly regained control. Mackinnon scored four straight points, Thomas knocked down a three, and Reece added a basket as LSU moved ahead 24-23 with 7:52 left in the half. LSU stretched the margin behind free throws and second-chance scores, while Arkansas endured a prolonged shooting drought before Wagner finally ended it with a three-pointer to cut the deficit to 30-28.

Despite brief responses from Richmond and Acuff, Arkansas could not fully regain control before the break. A late Razorbacks possession came up empty, and LSU carried a 37-33 lead into halftime.

In the first half, LSU went 0-8 from three-point range but shot 46.9 percent overall, outscoring Arkansas 24-12 in the paint. The Tigers also held a 21-14 rebounding edge, including eight offensive rebounds, leading to a 13-6 advantage in second-chance points.

Acuff Sparks the Second-Half Rally

Arkansas opened the second half with quick baskets from Knox and Brazile, but LSU answered behind Mackinnon and Tamba to stay in front. Acuff kept the Razorbacks close with a jumper and a runner, though Thomas extended LSU’s lead to 48-41 with an inbounds jumper.

Arkansas chipped away as Knox set up Pringle for a dunk and later drew a foul at the under-16 media timeout with LSU leading 48-43. After a brief review and an LSU alley-oop, the Razorbacks answered with a 4-0 run. Brazile sparked the rally with a steal, and Richmond completed a three-point play to tie the game at 50-50.

The teams traded baskets through the under-12 media timeout, with Acuff and Tamba answering each other. Thomas converted an and-one to put LSU back in front, but Arkansas responded again. After another LSU basket inside, Acuff knocked down a three-pointer, then moments later found Knox for a wide-open three that gave the Razorbacks a 62-61 lead.

Late Execution Seals the Win

Acuff blocked back-to-back shot attempts by Thomas, leading to a breakaway layup and a 64-61 Arkansas advantage. LSU called a timeout to regroup.

Out of the break, Knox fouled Sutton, who completed a three-point play to tie the game. Acuff answered with a pull-up jumper from the free-throw line area, making it 66-64 at the under-8 media timeout. Mackinnon then made both free throws to tie the game once more.

LSU shifted to a zone defense, but Acuff broke the tie with a three-pointer. Mackinnon split another pair at the line, and Acuff raced back for a layup. The freshman then found Richmond cutting downhill for a layup and-one, which Richmond converted to make it 74-67.

Brazile fouled Sutton, who made both free throws. Acuff responded with a corner three, pushing the lead to 77-69 and giving him 30 points. Nwoko converted an and-one, but Acuff answered again by finding Pringle for a spinning layup, making it 79-72.

Richmond lost Thomas on a steal attempt, and the LSU guard hit a straightaway three to cut the lead to 79-75 at the final media timeout. Sutton made both free throws out of the break. Thomas then missed a jumper but secured his own rebound and scored. Arkansas had made nine straight field goals prior to that miss.

LSU continued to apply pressure as Thomas hit a baseline jumper. Acuff turned the ball over, but Sutton missed the ensuing shot. Arkansas called a timeout with 57.3 seconds remaining, holding an 81-79 lead.

Out of the timeout, Acuff found Brazile for a left-wing three, extending the lead to 84-79 with 44.9 seconds to play. Thomas scored in the paint, and LSU began fouling. Acuff missed both free throws, giving the Tigers another chance, but Thomas missed a runner that was knocked out of bounds.

LSU declined to review the play. Arkansas called a 30-second timeout with 11.6 seconds remaining. Acuff was fouled by Tamba after nearly five seconds ran off the clock. Acuff split the free throws to make it 85-81 with 6.8 seconds left. LSU called another timeout, but Thomas missed a three-pointer at the buzzer, securing the Razorbacks’ win.

Acuff’s Career Night Leads Arkansas

Darius Acuff Jr. delivered a career night, scoring 31 points on 13 of 19 shooting, including 4 of 7 from three, along with six assists, two rebounds, and two blocks. After just seven points in the first half, he erupted in the second, scoring or assisting on 23 consecutive Arkansas points to lead the Razorbacks’ decisive run.

LSU’s Thomas added 14 points on 6 of 9 shooting, with all five Tigers starters reaching double figures, led by Thomas’ 18 points on 7 of 20 shooting.

Arkansas returns to action Tuesday in Norman, Oklahoma, against the Oklahoma Sooners. Tip-off is 6 p.m. CST on ESPN.