Arkansas Outlasts Oklahoma in Offensive Showdown

Razorbacks dominate inside despite poor three-point shooting

Jan. 28, 2026 at 2:31am

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The No. 15 University of Arkansas Razorbacks defeated the Oklahoma Sooners 83-79 in a high-scoring affair at the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Oklahoma. Despite struggling from three-point range, going just 2-for-17, the Razorbacks dominated in the paint and two-point shooting, making 33 of 46 shots (71.7%) from inside the arc. Arkansas centers Malique Ewin and Nick Pringle combined for 20 points on perfect shooting, while guard Darius Acuff Jr. led the team with 21 points and 9 assists.

Why it matters

This game highlighted the Razorbacks' ability to adapt their offensive strategy and find success in the paint when their outside shots were not falling. It also showcased the team's depth, with multiple players stepping up to contribute. For Oklahoma, the loss was a missed opportunity to pick up a marquee win against a ranked opponent at home.

The details

Arkansas struggled mightily from three-point range, making just 2 of 17 attempts (11.8%), but made up for it by dominating inside the paint. The Razorbacks outscored the Sooners 56-30 in the paint and shot an impressive 71.7% (33-of-46) from two-point range. Ewin and Pringle were perfect from the field, combining for 20 points on 9-of-9 shooting. Guard Darius Acuff Jr. led Arkansas with 21 points, 9 assists, and 6 free throws made.

  • The game was played on Tuesday, January 28, 2026 in Norman, Oklahoma.

The players

Darius Acuff Jr.

A freshman guard for the Arkansas Razorbacks who led the team with 21 points and 9 assists in the game.

Malique Ewin

An Arkansas center who went 5-for-5 from the field and scored 10 points.

Nick Pringle

An Arkansas center who made all 4 of his field goal attempts and scored 10 points.

Nijel Pack

An Oklahoma guard who scored a game-high 22 points, including 6 three-pointers.

John Calipari

The head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks, who last coached a game in Norman over 30 years ago.

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What they’re saying

“I like the fact we went 2 for 17 and won.”

— John Calipari, Arkansas Head Coach

“It was definitely hard particularly for us to guard the dribble. They were making a super-high percentage at the rim and they had phenomenal speed. No matter how much we tried to get in and plug and plug the gaps, just hard to guard and straight-line drives and even rotations, if you rotate they just throw it up (for lobs).”

— Porter Moser, Oklahoma Head Coach

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This game showcased the Razorbacks' ability to adapt their offensive strategy and find success in the paint when their outside shots were not falling, highlighting the team's depth and versatility. For Oklahoma, the loss was a missed opportunity to pick up a marquee win at home against a ranked opponent.