FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas built an early lead and held off a late push to beat sixth-ranked Louisville 89–80 on Wednesday night.
Trevon Brazile scored 21 points, including 17 in the first half, as the Razorbacks stayed unbeaten at home. Arkansas improved to 6–2 with the win.
Louisville entered the night undefeated, but Arkansas controlled the game from the opening minutes.
The Razorbacks scored 14 of the first 23 points behind Brazile, who attacked inside and hit shots in rhythm. It helped Arkansas push the lead to double digits in the first half.
By halftime, the Razorbacks led by 18 and carried clear momentum. They reached 47 points before the break, matching or surpassing what Louisville had allowed in several earlier games.
Arkansas also relied heavily on the free-throw line. The Razorbacks made 27 of 35 free throws, a strong 77 percent clip, and consistently earned chances by driving into the lane and drawing contact.
Five Razorbacks finished in double figures. Freshman guards Darius Acuff Jr. and Meleek Thomas each scored 17 points.
Malique Ewin added 12, and Billy Richmond III scored 10. The balance helped Arkansas answer Louisville’s pushes in the second half.
On the boards, Arkansas finished with a 46–36 rebounding edge that created second-chance points and limited Louisville’s extra opportunities.
Louisville cuts deficit but Razorbacks respond
Louisville shot just 33 percent in the first half but improved to 50 percent after the break.
That improvement allowed the Cardinals to chip away at what had once been a 20-point Arkansas lead. With 2:27 left, Louisville cut the deficit to four as the Razorbacks briefly struggled to get stops.
But Arkansas responded with the play of the night. Acuff lofted a perfect alley-oop toward the rim, and Brazile rose to finish the dunk. The basket stretched the Razorbacks’ lead again and halted Louisville’s comeback attempt.
Brazile finished 8 of 11 from the field and controlled the lane defensively. His first-half run set the tone, and his late dunk sealed the outcome.
Louisville was led by Mikel Brown Jr., who scored 22 points, though he shot just 2 of 13 from beyond the arc. Ryan Conwell added 15 points but made only 4 of his 16 field-goal attempts. Louisville never led at any point in the game.
The Cardinals’ shooting struggled for long stretches, but their late surge made Arkansas work to close the game. Even with improved second-half play, Louisville could not overcome the early hole and the Razorbacks’ advantage on the glass.
Arkansas’ guards also made key plays down the stretch, drawing fouls and protecting the ball. The Razorbacks stayed steady on the free-throw line as Louisville tried to extend the game in the closing minutes.
Razorbacks stay perfect at home
Arkansas remains 6–0 at home and continues to lean on its depth, young talent and ability to generate scoring from multiple players.
The Razorbacks’ defensive pressure in the first half and their work on the boards proved decisive.
Louisville fell to 7–1, taking its first loss of the season after seven straight wins. The Cardinals return home next to face Indiana as they look to regroup from the road defeat.
Arkansas stays in the state and will play Fresno State on Saturday in Little Rock. The Razorbacks aim to continue building momentum with nonconference play entering a key stretch.
The win over a top-10 opponent gives Arkansas confidence but also shows areas to tighten. The late-game lapses nearly gave Louisville a chance to steal the game, though the Razorbacks ultimately regained control.
Arkansas again showcased the mix of scoring, length and guard play that has carried them early in the season. Brazile’s performance, paired with the freshmen guards, provided the spark they needed.
Key takeaways
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Arkansas controlled the first half and never trailed, using strong rebounding and free-throw shooting to build its lead.
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Trevon Brazile scored 21 points, including a key alley-oop dunk that ended Louisville’s late comeback try.
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Louisville improved its shooting in the second half but could not overcome Arkansas’ balanced scoring and early surge.
