Arkansas Edges Missouri in Overtime, Sealing Season Finale Victory

Arkansas held off a late Missouri rally to close the regular season with an 88-84 overtime win at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Missouri.

Despite missing its top player, No. 20 Arkansas basketball overcame the challenge, outlasting the Tigers (20-11, 10-8 SEC) to secure the victory. The win also marked a milestone for head coach John Calipari, his 900th career triumph, while lifting the Razorbacks’ record to 23-8 overall and 13-5 in conference play.

Razorbacks Jump Out Early

Arkansas opened the game with a 9-6 lead, sparked by freshman Meleek Brazile’s quick five points. He converted a tough layup and followed it with an and-one just before the under-16 timeout.

The Razorbacks were sharp early, making four of their first six shots from the field, while Missouri connected on two of four. Neither team had found its three-point stroke yet. Arkansas also forced a Missouri turnover and converted it into a basket, helping maintain an early edge.

In the paint, the Razorbacks held a 6-4 advantage, with the rebounding battle tied at two apiece. Senior forward Billy Richmond made both free throws after being fouled, extending Arkansas’ lead to 11-6. Barrett responded with an up-and-under layup, but the Razorbacks immediately turned the ball over, allowing Missouri to regain possession.

The first half saw a flurry of back-and-forth action, punctuated by steals and baskets from Richmond and Pierce. Arkansas ignited an 8-0 run that included a Pringle alley-oop dunk, a Brazile block that led to a Wagner layup, and a Richmond steal that set up a fastbreak dunk. By the under-12 timeout, the Razorbacks held a 19-11 advantage.

Missouri Rally and Arkansas Response

Missouri’s Mark Mitchell ended Arkansas’ early momentum with a dunk, but the Razorbacks quickly regained control, embarking on a 12-2 run over nearly four minutes. During that stretch, Missouri managed just one of eight shots from the field and turned the ball over six times. Meleek Thomas hit a three-pointer, extending Arkansas’ surge to 17-2 before Mitchell finally converted a tough layup.

Barrett then stole the ball from Wagner and scored a layup, pushing the lead to 28-17 and prompting the under-8 timeout. Arkansas stretched its advantage to 35-20 on another Thomas three. Missouri countered with a 9-0 run, narrowing the gap to 37-32. The Tigers’ momentum continued, outscoring the Razorbacks 12-2 as Arkansas cooled off, making just one of its previous seven shots.

Late in the half, Wagner converted a tough left-handed layup to push Arkansas ahead 39-32. Missouri closed the half with a Mitchell layup, leaving the Razorbacks with a slim 39-36 advantage at the break.

Second Half Momentum Swings

Early in the second half, Meleek Brazile knocked down a three off a Wagner assist, and Billy Richmond followed with a fastbreak dunk, extending Arkansas’ lead to 44-36. Missouri answered with a 9-0 run, capped by a Trent Pierce three-pointer that put the Tigers ahead 45-44 for the first time.

Both teams then struggled to score until Jayden Stone converted off a Phillips block, igniting an 11-0 run for Arkansas. Thomas kept the momentum going, hitting back-to-back three-pointers to push the Razorbacks ahead 55-51. Missouri responded with a coast-to-coast layup from Stone, briefly reclaiming a 58-57 lead.

Over the next several minutes, the lead changed hands multiple times as Thomas, Wagner, and Brazile each delivered key baskets. By the under-4 timeout, Arkansas led 69-67 following an Ewin dunk. The final minutes became a tense exchange of baskets, free throws, and rebounds, with the Razorbacks holding only a narrow edge.

The game remained tied at 81-81 with 1:31 remaining in regulation. Arkansas forced Missouri into a timeout after a Wagner steal. In the final moments, Brazile hit a three-pointer with 38 seconds to go. Arkansas maintained composure as Ewin made two crucial free throws, and Barrett added a final layup, sealing the 88-84 victory.

Key Stats

Arkansas shot 33 of 67 from the field (49.3%) and made 8 of 16 three-pointers (50%), while converting 14 of 22 free throws (63.6%). Missouri finished 30 of 63 from the floor (47.6%), including 6 of 20 from beyond the arc (30%), and made 18 of 24 free throws (75%).

Each team had five players reach double figures. For Arkansas, Meleek Thomas led the way with 28 points, tying his career high, and added seven rebounds. Trevon Brazile contributed 19 points, nine rebounds, and three steals, while Ewin added 17 points, nine rebounds, and two blocks. DJ Wagner and Billy Richmond each scored 10 points.

Mark Mitchell led Missouri with a career-high 32 points on 11 of 20 shooting. Phillips recorded a double-double with 13 points, 10 rebounds, and four blocks, while Trent Pierce added 13 points. Jayden Stone and Barrett scored 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Arkansas held a slight edge in key stats, winning the turnover battle 13-11, out-rebounding Missouri 38-34, and leading 14-11 in second-chance points. The Razorbacks also outpaced the Tigers in fastbreak scoring, 10-8.

Next Up: SEC Tournament

With the victory, Arkansas now has five days to gear up for the SEC Tournament in Nashville, Tennessee. Currently positioned as the three-seed, the Razorbacks could rise to the two-seed depending on Alabama’s result against Auburn. In any case, Arkansas will play in the tournament quarterfinals on Friday, March 13.