#14 Arkansas Battles #8 Houston But Falls 94-85

NEWARK, N.J. – The 14th-ranked Arkansas battled #8 Houston, but free throw woes did in the Razorbacks in a 94-85 setback Saturday evening in the Never Forget Tribute Classic, played at the Prudential Center.

Arkansas entered the game as one the NCAA’s top 30 teams in free throw percentage, but was just 21-of-35 for the game – 8-of-13 in the first half and 13-of-22 in the second.

Darius Acuff Jr. led all scorers with 27 points, adding seven assists and five rebounds. Malique Ewin added 20 points and nine rebounds. He drew 11 fouls but was just 10-of-17 at the line.

Emanuel Sharp led the Cougars with 22 points, going 7-of-9 at the line, and freshman guard Kingston Flemings scored 21 points, going 7-of-8 at the line, with six rebounds and five assists.

Arkansas, down 21 midway through the first half, held Houston scoreless for 5:16 late in the first half, but its struggles did not allow the Hogs to cut the deficit much. But the strong defense by Arkansas made it just an eight point game at the break.

Arkansas started the second half making just 3 of its first 12 shot sand Houston led by as much as 17 with 5:09 left. The Razorbacks made a late charge to fall by nine.

Arkansas will have nine days off before returning to Bud Walton Arena to host James Madison on Dec. 29 (Monday). Tipoff is set for 7 pm.

FIRST HALF: ARK: 41 – HOU: 49

• Arkansas scored first but Houston used a 17-2 runs with a 15-0 spurt to take a 34-17 lead. The Cougars would push their advantage to as many as 21 with 9:34 left in the first half.
• Billy Richmond III ignited a Razorback 7-0 run with a dunk and a 3-pointer to make the score 40-28.
• Arkansas held Houston to zero field goals – and just two free throws – over a 5:16 span to get back in the game. However, Arkansas was just 8-of-13 at the line to keep Houston in the lead.
• Darius Acuff scored as time was expiring in the first half to cut the Hog deficit to eight at the break.
• Acuff led Arkansas with 16 points. Malique Ewin added 10 points and six rebounds.
• Despite its scoring drought, Houston still shot 54.8% from the field, making 5-of-12 from deep. Houston also forced nine turnovers on six steals.

SECOND HALF: ARK: 44 – HOU: 45

• Acuff scored 11 second-half points and Richmond had 10.
• Sharp led Houston with 16 second-half points and Flemings had 12.
• Arkansas only committed three second-half turnovers.

NOTES:

• Arkansas’ starting lineup was Darius Acuff Jr., D.J. Wagner, Karter Knox, Trevon Brazile and Nick Pringle.
• Darius Acuff Jr. scored the first points of the game, a floater at 19:37.
• Arkansas’s first sub was Malique Ewin.

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