FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) — Darius Acuff Jr. scored 24 of his career-high 31 points in the second half to lead No. 20 Arkansas to an 85-81 victory over LSU on Saturday.
Acav made 10 of 11 shots in the final 20 minutes and hit all three-pointers. He was joined in double figures by freshman Meleek Thomas with 13 points for the Razorbacks (15-5, 5-2 Southeastern Conference), who also had 11 points from Billy Richmond III.
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Arkansas made nine consecutive field goals starting midway through the second half, all involving Acuff. He made 6 goals, 3 of which were three-pointers and the other 3 were assists.
LSU (13-7, 1-6) stayed in the game through the paint. The Tigers scored 19 points in the second half and outscored the Razorbacks 42-36 in the paint. Arkansas made 7 of 18 free throws and LSU made 22 of 25 free throws.
With 31 seconds left in the game, Acuff missed two free throws, giving Arkansas a 3-point lead and giving LSU a chance. But De’Dan Thomas Jr. missed a jumper on the Tigers’ next possession.
Thomas scored 18 points, leading all five LSU starters in double figures. Pablo Tamba had 12 points and 10 rebounds.
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Due to the massive snowstorm that hit the center of the country and moved northeast, the game’s prompt time was moved up 3 1/2 hours.
Next
Arkansas travels to Oklahoma State on Tuesday.
LSU hosts Mississippi State on Wednesday.
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