#18 Arkansas Downs Dukes

December 29, 2025

FAYETTEVILLE – Meleek Thomas scored a career-high 28 points – the most points by a Razorback this season and second-most in the John Calipari era – to lead #18 Arkansas to a 103-74 victory over James Madison Monday night at Bud Walton Arena.

Thomas, who made a career-high six 3-pointers for the game, scored 14 of his 28 points during a 19-3 run midway through the first half to lead 32-12 and set the tone in the decisive win.

Down 20 at the break, JMU traded baskets with Arkansas early in the second half. The Dukes got to within 15 with 11:18 left before the Razorbacks put the game out of reach with a 21-5 run over the next six minutes to lead 93-16. D.J. Wagner helped lead the second-half surge with 10 points, making 3-of-3 from deep, with three assists and zero turnovers. Wagner finished with 14 points.

In addition to Thomas’ career game, Darius Acuff Jr. scored a quiet 17 points with six assists and one turnover. Malique Ewin added 11 points, nine rebounds and tied a career-high with three steals.

Billy Richmond III tied a career high with six assists while Trevon Brazile posted eight points, three assists, three blocked shots and two steals.

Arkansas made a season-high 15 3-pointers, shooting a season- best 53.6% from deep. However, JMU made 12 triples, but only shot 37.5%.

The Dukes were led by Bradley Douglas’ 19 points and Justin McBride scored 13.

Arkansas begins SEC play on Jan. 3 (Saturday) when #19/20 Tennessee comes to Bud Walton Arena. Tipoff is set for 2 pm (CT) and the game will be televised on ESPN2.

FIRST HALF: ARK: 48 – JMU: 28

Arkansas scored first and the lead bounced back-and-forth early. Then, the Hogs went on a 19-3 run, including a 16-0 spurt, to lead 32-12. Meleek Thomas scored 14 during the runs with three 3-pointers.
Meleek Thomas scored 18 first-half points and made 4 3-pointers, tying his overall career-high.
Malique Ewin had three steals in the first half, tying his overall career high.
Arkansas had 11 assists with just one turnover in the half. Arkansas forced nine JMU turnovers.
Arkansas out-scored JMU 14-0 on points off turnovers and 16-0 on fastbreak points.
Darius Acuff Jr. added 12 points and five assists.
Trevon Brazile had two steals and two blocked shots.

SECOND HALF: ARK: 55 – JMU: 46

Arkansas shot 60.7% (17-of-28) from the field and 73.7% (8-of-11) from deep.
Arkansas had 13 assists on 17 made baskets in the period.
Thomas and Wagner each scored 10 points.
JMU’s Douglas scored 11 of his 19 points in the period.

NOTES:

Arkansas’ starting lineup was Darius Acuff Jr., D.J. Wagner, Karter Knox, Trevon Brazile and Nick Pringle.
Nick Pringle scored the first points of the game, a dunk from a Trevon Brazile assist at 19:13.
Arkansas’s first sub was Malique Ewin.
This was the first time Arkansas and James Madison had ever met.
Head coach John Calipari won his 887th career game, leaving him 13 shy of 900 for his career.
Darius Acuff Jr. scored double digits for the 13th consecutive game. He is the only Razorback to score in double figures in all 13 games. Also, he ties Isaiah Joe at 13 for the most double-digit scoring games to start a Razorback career.
Meleek Thomas is the only Razorback to make a 3-pointer in all 13 games this season.
Thomas’ 28 points off the bench are the most by a Hog since Daryl Macon scored 30 vs Ole Miss (2/18/17) and the most off the bench by a UA freshman since B.J. Young’s 28 vs UConn (12/3/11). (HogStats)
Arkansas entered the game 31st in the NCAA and 2nd in the SEC in 3-point shooting. It was just the seventh time in school history the Hogs made 15 triples on less than 30 attempts
Arkansas scored 31 points on fastbreaks. It was the fifth time the Hogs have scored at least 30 fastbreak points. Arkansas entered the game 4th in the NCAA in fastbreak points (21.42).
The Arkansas bench scored 53 points, its second-best production of the season.
Elmir Dzafic made a free throw to give Arkansas 100 points. He is 3-of-6 at the line this season.
Ayden Kelley made a step-back 3-pointer. He entered the game with three career points in nine career games. It was his first career 3-pointer.

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