NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Darius Acuff Jr. delivered one of the most memorable scoring performances in Arkansas SEC Tournament history Friday night in Nashville.
Acuff poured in a game-high 37 points to lead Arkansas to an 82–79 win over Oklahoma at Bridgestone Arena. The Razorbacks leaned heavily on the star guard throughout the night, and he responded with timely baskets as the game tightened in the closing minutes.
His scoring total ranks as the second-most points by an Arkansas player in an SEC Tournament game since the program joined the league.
Only Todd Day has scored more for Arkansas in the conference tournament. Day finished with 39 points against Alabama on March 14, 1992.
Acuff’s performance helped the Hogs overcome a halftime deficit and surge late to secure the victory.
The Razorbacks improved their offense in the final minutes, hitting six of their last eight field goal attempts while also converting free throws to protect the lead.
By the end of the night, the guard had carried Arkansas through one of its most important games of the postseason.
Acuff sparks late scoring surge
The Razorbacks found their momentum in the closing stretch, and Acuff was at the center of it.
He buried a three-pointer with 2:27 remaining that pushed Arkansas ahead 76–69. The shot came during a run in which the Hogs made five straight field goals.
The moment energized the Arkansas crowd inside Bridgestone Arena. Traveling students responded with loud “MVP” chants as Acuff jogged back down the court.
The guard wasn’t finished.
With 27 seconds left, he connected on another basket to extend the lead to 79–77. That score restored a four-point margin and helped the Razorbacks maintain control late.
Acuff had already done most of his work before halftime.
He scored 21 points in the first half, marking his second-highest first-half total of the season. His best first half came earlier this year against Alabama when he scored 22 points before halftime on his way to a 49-point night.
Acuff ended the first half Friday with a buzzer-beating three-pointer that trimmed the Oklahoma lead to 39–37 at the break.
Arkansas defense slows Oklahoma after halftime
While Acuff led the offense, the Razorbacks made key defensive adjustments after halftime.
Arkansas focused on Oklahoma guard Nijel Pack, who had been a major scoring threat early.
Pack scored 16 points in the first half but was limited to only three points in the second half.
The Sooners still received production from Derrion Reid, who finished with 17 points. Reid scored 12 of those after halftime, but the Hogs’ defensive pressure on Pack proved important as the game tightened.
Arkansas also created momentum with a highlight play late in the game.
Meleek Thomas tossed an alley-oop pass to Trevon Brazile for a dunk that gave the Razorbacks a 73–67 lead with 3:47 remaining.
The basket marked Arkansas’ fourth straight made field goal during that stretch.
Razorbacks advance to face Ole Miss
Oklahoma stayed close as the final minutes unfolded.
Tae Davis knocked down a three-pointer with 1:30 remaining that cut the Arkansas lead to four points. It was the closest the Sooners would get in the closing moments.
Oklahoma still had one final opportunity.
With 0.6 seconds left, the Sooners regained possession with a chance to tie the game.
Arkansas coach John Calipari initially believed the game had ended and began walking along Oklahoma’s bench shaking hands before realizing time remained on the clock.
Oklahoma didn’t manage to get a shot off before the buzzer sounded.
With the win, the Razorbacks advanced to the SEC Tournament semifinals.
Arkansas will face No. 15 seed Ole Miss at approximately 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Bridgestone Arena. The Rebels reached the semifinal after upsetting No. 2 seed Alabama 80–79 earlier Friday.
The other semifinal features No. 1 seed Florida against No. 4 seed Vanderbilt at noon Saturday.
The SEC Tournament championship game is scheduled for noon Sunday.
Friday’s result could also influence NCAA Tournament seeding.
Arkansas is considered one of several teams competing for the final No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament bracket. Texas Tech, Vanderbilt and St. John’s are among the other teams believed to be in that discussion.
Meanwhile, Oklahoma will now wait for Selection Sunday at 5 p.m. Sunday on CBS to learn whether it will be included in the NCAA Tournament field.
