Basketball (M)

#21 Arkansas Holds Off Samford for 79-75 Win

November 14, 2025
Final Stats

FAYETTEVILLE – Five Razorbacks scored in double figures, but it was D.J. Wagner’s two free throws with 40 seconds left that helped seal a 79-75 victory over Samford Friday night at Bud Walton Arena.

The Razorbacks were 17-of-22 overall from the line, which proved to be a key factor in the win as the Bulldogs were 9-of-10.

Billy Richmond III sparked a 12-0 run – getting three offensive rebounds, a basket and a steal – midway in the second half to give Arkansas its largest lead of 15 (68-54) with 7:08 left. The Hogs held a double-digit lead until 2:49 left, but Samford would not go away, trailing by six twice inside the final 1:07. A 3-pointer from Samford’s Keaton Norris with five seconds left provided the 79-75 final.

Darius Acuff Jr. led Arkansas with 20 points and five assists. Meleek Thomas added 17 points and led the Hogs with eight rebounds and two steals. Trevon Brazile added 15 points and seven boards while Wagner and Richmond each had 10 points.

Samford also had five players score in double figures, including Cade Morris (15), Zion Wilburn (15), Jadin Booth (14), Dylan Faulkner (13) and Keaton Norris (11).

Arkansas continues its four-game homestand with two games next week. First, on Tuesday (Nov. 18) versus Winthrop (Nov. 18) and later on Friday (Nov. 21) versus Jackson State (Nov. 21). Both games are set to begin at 7 pm.

FIRST HALF: ARK: 45 – SAM: 35

  • Arkansas had three players in double figures. Meleek Thomas had 11 while Darius Acuff Jr. and Trevon Brazile each scored 10.
  • Arkansas dominated the stat sheet, shooting 51.7% compared to Samford’s 37.1%. Arkansas was 10-of-12 at the line compared to Samford’s 3-of-4. Arkansas out-rebounded Samford, 21-16.
  • Samford’s Zion Wilburn came off the bench to lead the Bulldogs with 11 points.

NOTES:

  • Arkansas’ starting lineup was Darius Acuff Jr., D.J. Wagner, Meleek Thomas, Karter Knox and Nick Pringle.
  • Arkansas won the opening tip.
  • Arkansas scored first on a Karter Knox layup at 19:16.
  • Trevon Brazile, Malique Ewin and Billy Richmond III were Arkansas’s first subs.
  • Arkansas is 4-0 all-time versus Samford.
  • The Razorbacks have faced a team led by Lennie Acuff (Samford head coach) in each of the last three years. Arkansas defeated Acuff’s Lipscomb team, 69-66, in North Little Rock in 2023. Last year, in Coach Cal’s debut as Arkansas head coach, the Hogs beat Lipscomb 76-60.
  • With the win, John Calipari earns his 880th career on-court win as a Division I head coach. He passes Dean Smith for sixth on the list of NCAA Division I wins.

 

For more­­ information on Arkansas Men’s Basketball, follow @RazorbackMBB on X, Instagram and Facebook.

 

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