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No. 25 Alabama Survives Darius Acuff's 49-Point Night, Beats No. 20 Arkansas 117-115 in 2OT
Houston Mallette hit a late 3-pointer to lift the Crimson Tide in an instant classic
Feb. 23, 2026 at 8:15pm
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In a thrilling double-overtime game, No. 25 Alabama edged out No. 20 Arkansas 117-115 despite a career-high 49-point performance from Razorbacks freshman Darius Acuff Jr. Alabama's Labaron Philon Jr. scored 35 points and Aiden Sherrell added 26 to lead the Crimson Tide to victory. The game featured multiple lead changes and went to overtime after Acuff hit a game-tying 3-pointer at the end of regulation.
Why it matters
This was a crucial SEC matchup between two ranked teams fighting for position in the conference standings. The game showcased the talent and competitiveness of both programs, with Acuff's historic individual effort nearly leading Arkansas to an upset on the road. The win keeps Alabama in the hunt for an NCAA Tournament berth, while the loss is a tough one for Arkansas as it looks to solidify its tournament resume.
The details
Alabama trailed by as many as 14 points in the second half, but a late 18-4 run tied the game and sent it to overtime. The Crimson Tide and Razorbacks traded blows in the extra frames, with Mallette's clutch 3-pointer in the second OT proving to be the difference. Arkansas was severely shorthanded, as four players fouled out, forcing coach John Calipari to turn to little-used reserves down the stretch.
- The game was played on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
- Mallette hit the game-winning 3-pointer with 51 seconds remaining in the second overtime.
The players
Darius Acuff Jr.
A freshman guard for Arkansas who scored a career-high 49 points, the second most in college basketball this season.
Nate Oats
The head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide.
John Calipari
The head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks.
Labaron Philon Jr.
A player for Alabama who scored a career-high 35 points.
Aiden Sherrell
A player for Alabama who scored a career-high 26 points and added 13 rebounds.
What’s next
Arkansas will host Missouri on Saturday, while Alabama will travel to LSU on Saturday.
The takeaway
This instant classic showcased the incredible talent and competitiveness of both programs, with Acuff's historic individual effort nearly leading Arkansas to an upset on the road. The win keeps Alabama in the hunt for an NCAA Tournament berth, while the loss is a tough one for Arkansas as it looks to solidify its tournament resume.
