Darius Acuff Jr. scored 24 of his career-high 31 points in the second half and No. 20 Arkansas overcame an eight-point deficit before holding off LSU 85-81 in a Southeastern Conference game Saturday in Fayetteville, Ark.

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.

He was 13-of-19 from the field and made 4 of 7 3-pointers as the Razorbacks (15-5, 5-2 SEC) improved to 12-0 at home this season.

Acuff’s final 3-pointer gave the Razorbacks their biggest lead, 77-69, with five minutes remaining.

Mike Nwoko scored 14 points for the Tigers (13-7, 1-6), who led 45-37 2:05 into the second half. Dedan Thomas Jr. had 18 points and five assists, and Pablo Tamba had 12 points and 10 rebounds.

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.

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.

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.

Acuff was 10-of-11 with five assists in the second half, during which the Razorbacks scored 52 points and shot 67.7% from the field.

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.

Arkansas has won 16 straight home games since an 85-81 loss to Alabama on Feb. 8, 2025.

–Field Level Media