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  • No. 20 Arkansas Erupts In Second Half As The Razorbacks Beat Texas A&M Soundly, 99-84

No. 20 Arkansas Erupts In Second Half As The Razorbacks Beat Texas A&M Soundly, 99-84

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Basketball

(BCSNN) — No. 20 Arkansas used a blistering second‑half surge to pull away from Texas A&M, defeating the Aggies 99–84 on Wednesday night at Bud Walton Arena. The Razorbacks scored a program‑record 62 points in the second half against an SEC opponent and extended their winning streak to four.

Billy Richmond III scored 23 points, his fourth straight game with at least 20, while Darius Acuff Jr. overcame a 1‑for‑10 first half to finish with 22 points and seven assists. It marked Acuff’s ninth consecutive 20‑point game.

Arkansas led 37–28 at halftime despite shooting just 36.1 percent and 2 of 12 from three. The Razorbacks forced 13 turnovers and outscored the Aggies 14–2 in fastbreak points before the break.

The pace accelerated in the second half, with the teams combining for 118 points. Arkansas finished with 30 fastbreak points and 52 points in the paint, its second‑highest fastbreak total against an SEC opponent this season. The Razorbacks made 13 straight field goals during a decisive stretch and shot 69 percent after halftime.

Acuff scored 17 of his 22 points in the second half, including nine straight during a key run from the 7:18 to 4:40 mark. Meleek Thomas, scoreless in the first half, added 13 points after the break. Malique Ewin finished with 18 points and nine rebounds, while Trevon Brazile added 13 points and eight boards.

Arkansas shot 50.8 percent overall despite going 4 of 17 from three. Texas A&M shot 52.6 percent, becoming the second straight Razorback opponent to shoot above 50 percent in a loss. Zach Clemence led the Aggies with 29 points on 11‑for‑14 shooting, including 22 in the second half.

The Razorbacks improved to 11–1 at home against Texas A&M since the Aggies joined the SEC and now hold a 109–62 advantage in the all‑time series. Head coach John Calipari earned his 898th career win, moving within two of 900.

First Half

  • Arkansas answered an early 11–0 A&M run with a 16–0 burst to take an 18–11 lead.
  • The Razorbacks later used an 11–1 run to go up 33–19.
  • Richmond scored 15 first‑half points; Ewin added eight.
  • Arkansas forced 13 turnovers and held a 14–2 fastbreak advantage.

Second Half

  • A&M opened the half hot from deep, hitting 5 of its first 9 threes.
  • Arkansas responded with 13 straight made field goals and built a 95–78 lead with 2:03 left.
  • Acuff scored 17 second‑half points; Thomas added 13.
  • Arkansas outrebounded A&M 18–9 after halftime.

Notes

  • Arkansas’ starting lineup: Acuff, Thomas, Richmond, Brazile, Pringle.
  • Richmond scored the game’s first points.
  • Acuff recorded three steals, his most in an SEC game.
  • Acuff now has five games this season with 20+ points, 5+ rebounds and 5+ assists — the most in program history.
  • Richmond has averaged 22.3 points on 63.9 percent shooting over his last four games.
  • Arkansas improved to 11–1 at home vs. A&M in SEC play.

Arkansas travels to No. 7 Florida on Saturday for an 8:30 p.m. ET tip on ESPN. ESPN’s College GameDay will broadcast from Gainesville earlier that morning. The Razorbacks return home March 4 to host Texas.