Arkansas Razorbacks Triumph Over Auburn Tigers
In an impressive showdown on Saturday night, the No. 21 Arkansas Razorbacks overcame the Auburn Tigers with a decisive 88-75 victory in Fayetteville. Darius Acuff Jr. showcased his talent by matching his career-high of 31 points, while teammate Billy Richmond III also had a standout performance, scoring a personal best of 25 points.
Key Performances
Acuff was particularly lethal from beyond the arc, making 70% of his three-point attempts (7 of 10) and finishing the night shooting 10 of 15 overall. His hot streak included three consecutive three-pointers early in the second half, fueling a powerful 19-4 run that extended the Razorbacks’ halftime lead from six to twenty points, prompting the first media timeout of the period. The freshman guard has been on an impressive scoring surge, averaging 20 points or more over the last six games and has maintained a double-digit scoring average in every game this season, significantly contributing to Arkansas’s success, as they recorded a 5-1 win-loss record during this stretch.
Richmond also had a remarkable outing, converting 12 of his 15 shots, shattering his previous career high of 16 points. Overall, the Razorbacks demonstrated exceptional shooting prowess as a team, achieving an impressive 57% success rate from the field.
Auburn’s Struggles
Auburn, struggling without their leading scorer Keyshawn Hall—who averages 20.7 points a game and was sidelined due to disciplinary measures—was led by Tahaad Pettiford, who scored 29 points with an 11-of-18 shooting performance. KeShawn Murphy contributed 22 points, but the remainder of the Tigers’ lineup only managed a frustrating 22% shooting rate, further complicating their challenge to secure a win.
The Tigers attempted a comeback, narrowing the gap to eight points with under nine minutes left, but Arkansas quickly responded—Richmond netting five consecutive points followed by a three-pointer from Acuff, re-establishing a comfortable double-digit lead for the Razorbacks.
Historic Achievement
Acuff’s remarkable achievement this season has now placed him among Arkansas legends, as he becomes only the second player in the program’s history to reach a combined total of at least 500 points and 150 assists in a single season, a feat previously accomplished by Lee Mayberry in three separate seasons from 1990-1992.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, Auburn is set to face Mississippi State on Wednesday, while Arkansas will take on Alabama the same night, both aiming to continue their campaigns in the Southeastern Conference.
