![\"NCAA](\"https:\/\/images.deadspin.com\/tr:w-900\/28010131.jpg\")
Jan 14, 2026; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks guard Darius Acuff Jr (5) drives to the basket during the first half against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Bud Walton Arena. Arkansas won 108-74. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images <\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\nDarius Acuff Jr. scored 24 of his career-high 31 points in the second half and the No. 20 Arkansas Razorbacks overcame an eight-point deficit before holding off LSU 85-81 in an SEC game Saturday in Fayetteville, Ark.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Acuff, the only freshman in NCAA Division I averaging at least 19 points and six assists, scored nine straight Arkansas points and had 12 of 15 as the Razorbacks turned a 59-56 deficit into a 71-67 lead with six minutes remaining.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n He was 13 of 19 from the field and made four of seven 3-pointers as the Razorbacks (15-5, 5-2 SEC) improved to 12-0 at home this season.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Acuff’s 3-pointer gave the Razorbacks their biggest lead, 77-69, with five minutes remaining.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Mike Nwoko scored 17 points for the Tigers (13-7, 1-6), who led 45-37 two minutes into the second half. Dedan Thomas Jr. had 15 points and five assists; Pablo Tamba had 12 points and 10 rebounds.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Thomas’ 3-pointer brought LSU close at 79-75 with 3:47 remaining, and his jumper with 1:54 remaining trimmed Arkansas’ lead to 81-79.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n <\/p>\n Trevon Brazile’s 3-pointer pushed the lead to 84-79, the Hogs’ 11th field goal in their last 12 attempts, before Thomas made a short jumper to close to 84-81. Acuff missed two free throws, but LSU missed a shot at the other end and the Razorbacks held on.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Meleek Thomas had 14 points, and Billy Richmond III had 11 points for Arkansas in a game that featured six ties and 13 lead changes.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Acuff was 10 of 11 with five assists in the second half, in which the Razorbacks scored 52 points and shot 67.7 percent from the field.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n LSU led 45-37 early in the second half before the Razorbacks got six points from Acuff in a 13-5 Arkansas run to tie the game at 50 with 12:56 remaining.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Arkansas has won 16 straight home games since an 85-81 loss to Alabama on Feb. 8, 2025.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n The game started two hours earlier than previously scheduled because of a winter storm. The temperature in Fayetteville was 13\u00b0 F at tipoff.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n –Field Level Media<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n