Acuff, Thomas lift No. 15 Arkansas past Oklahoma

Freshmen duo lead Razorbacks' comeback win over Sooners

Jan. 28, 2026 at 1:39pm

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Freshmen Darius Acuff Jr. and Meleek Thomas led a late rally as No. 15/16 Arkansas defeated Oklahoma 83-79 on Tuesday night. Acuff scored 21 points and had 9 assists, including the go-ahead basket in the final minute, while Thomas added 16 points, 14 in the second half. The Razorbacks overcame a poor shooting night from 3-point range by dominating inside, outscoring the Sooners 56-30 in the paint.

Why it matters

This was an important SEC road win for Arkansas, which has been ranked in the Top 25 all season. The Razorbacks were able to overcome a double-digit deficit and get a key victory against an Oklahoma team that has struggled in Big 12 play so far this year.

The details

Arkansas trailed by as many as 13 points in the first half before cutting the deficit and staying within striking distance. The second half featured five ties and 11 lead changes before the Razorbacks closed out the win at the free-throw line. Acuff made the decisive play with 20 seconds left, going coast-to-coast for an old-fashioned three-point play to put Arkansas ahead for good.

  • The game was played on Tuesday, January 28, 2026.
  • Arkansas trailed 48-44 at halftime.

The players

Darius Acuff Jr.

A freshman guard for Arkansas who scored 21 points and had 9 assists, including the go-ahead basket in the final minute.

Meleek Thomas

A freshman forward for Arkansas who scored 16 points, 14 of them in the second half, to help lead the Razorbacks' comeback.

Nigel Pack

A player for Oklahoma who scored a game-high 22 points, including 6 3-pointers.

Trevon Brazile

An Arkansas player who had 7 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks.

Mohamed Wague

An Oklahoma player who pulled down 12 rebounds.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

Arkansas returns home Saturday to host Kentucky at Bud Walton Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 on ESPN.

The takeaway

This game showcased the talent and potential of Arkansas' freshman duo of Darius Acuff Jr. and Meleek Thomas, who were able to lead the Razorbacks to a comeback victory on the road against a Big 12 opponent. Arkansas' ability to dominate inside and win despite a poor shooting night from 3-point range demonstrates the team's versatility and toughness.