Arkansas Advances to SEC Semis, Downs Oklahoma, 82-79

March 14, 2026

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Darius Acuff Jr. backed up his SEC Player of the Year honors with 37 points – the second-most by a Razorback in the SEC Tournament- to lead #17 Arkansas to an 82-79 victory over #11 seed Oklahoma in the SEC Quarterfinals Friday night at Bridgestone Arena.

Arkansas, the #3 seed, advances to play #15 seed Ole Miss in the semifinals on Saturday at 2:30 pm. The game will be televised on ESPN.

As it did in a win in Norman earlier in the year, Arkansas trailed at halftime and the second half was a back-and-forth affair.

The Razorbacks were down four with 9:38 to play. The Hogs tied the game and, over the next four minutes, there were three ties. The last tie was 67-67 with 5:38 to play before Arkansas went on a 9-2 run to lead by seven (76-69) with 2:27 to play.

Oklahoma kept battling and was down two with 53 seconds left. With 29 ticks left, Oklahoma’s Mohamed Wague blocked a shot but Arkansas retained possession. With five seconds left on the shot clock, Acuff took the inbounds pass and made a tough jumper on the right baseline to give Arkansas some breathing room. Meleek Thomas sank two free throws with 18 seconds left to put Arkansas up four. After a basket by the Sooners, Acuff went 1-of-2 at the line with 10 seconds left. Oklahoma had one last 3-point attempt but came up empty.

Trevon Brazile added sixth double-double of the season with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Acuff added five rebounds and five assists.

Oklahoma was led by Nijel Pack’s 19 points. However, he scored 16 first-half points and was just 1-of-7 from the field in the second half. Tae Davis and Derrion Reid each scored 17 points and Wague added 13.

The Rebels defeated Texas in the opening round, Georgia in the second round and #2 seed Alabama in the quarterfinal to reach the semifinals.

FIRST HALF: ARK: 37 – OKLA: 39

Arkansas scored first but only led for 6:06 in the half.
The Sooners only shot 43.8% from the field and were just 1-of-7 from deep and out-rebounded the Razorbacks, 22-14.
Arkansas was led by Darius Acuff Jr.. The freshman scored 21 points (7-of-10 FG – 4-of-7 3PT). He was his second-most points in the first half this season, getting 22 at Alabama. It was the sixth time Acuff has scored at least 20 in a half this season.
However, other than Acuff, Arkansas was just 6-of-21 (28.6%) from the field.
Nijel Pack led the Sooners with 16 points (5-of-8 FG – 5-of-5 FT).
Oklahoma only had five assists and the Razorbacks forced six turnovers thanks to five steals.

SECOND HALF: ARK: 45 – OKLA: 40

Arkansas out-rebounded the Sooners, 23-14, in the second half.
Acuff scored 16 second-half points and Brazile had 10 points with 9 rebounds (five offensive).
Derrion Reid led Oklahoma with 12 points.
Oklahoma had 11 assists on 15 made baskets, compared to Arkansas getting 6 assists on 15 baskets.

NOTES:

Arkansas’ starting lineup was Darius Acuff Jr., Meleek Thomas, Billy Richmond III, Trevon Brazile and Nick Pringle.
Arkansas won the opening tip.
Darius Acuff Jr. scored the first points of the game with a jumper at 19:42.
Arkansas’s first subs were Malique Ewin and D.J. Wagner.
Arkansas is 17-3 all-time in SEC quarterfinal games.
Arkansas is 13-12 all-time in Bridgestone Arena.
Arkansas owns a 19-15 advantage in the series versus Oklahoma, including a 7-2 advantage in games played on neutral courts.
John Calipari is 26-9 (.743) in the SEC Tourney. Calipari is 60-17 (.779) overall in conference tourneys as head coach with 15 titles.
Acuff was 10-of-12 at the free throw line. The 10 makes ties for second-most in an SEC game by a Razorback.

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