(BCSNN) — Arkansas has made a habit of playing its best basketball when the lights burn brightest, and Saturday night was no exception. Behind a historic performance from Darius Acuff Jr. and a resilient closing surge, the fifth‑time‑in‑six‑years Sweet 16‑bound Razorbacks outlasted upset‑minded High Point 94–88 inside the Moda Center.

The 12‑seed Panthers pushed Arkansas for 40 minutes, trading blows in a game that featured 15 lead changes — 10 of them in the second half — but the Razorbacks (—) once again showed why they’ve become one of the most reliable March teams in the country. When the moment demanded a star, Acuff delivered.

With the game tied at 83, the SEC Player of the Year unleashed a personal 7–0 run — two driving layups followed by a dagger three — to give Arkansas a 90–83 lead with under two minutes remaining. After High Point briefly trimmed the margin, Acuff iced the game with two free throws in the final eight seconds, sending the Razorbacks back to the Sweet 16 and on to San Jose.

Acuff finished with 36 points, the most ever by a Razorback in an NCAA Tournament game, and added six assists. His 11‑for‑13 performance at the line tied for the third‑most free throws made by a Hog in tournament play. The freshman phenom also shattered Todd Day’s single‑season scoring record and now owns Arkansas’ single‑season marks for both points (817) and assists (229). His 60 points across his first two NCAA Tournament games are the most by any freshman in tournament history.

Malique Ewin delivered another massive postseason performance with 14 points, 12 rebounds, four blocks and three assists — his second straight double‑double and third in four games. Meleek Thomas added 19 points on 3‑for‑5 shooting from deep, and Billy Richmond III posted his first career double‑double with 15 points and 10 rebounds.

High Point (—) refused to fold, riding a sensational 30‑point effort from Rob Martin and 25 points from Cam’Ron Fletcher. But Arkansas’ late‑game execution — and Acuff’s brilliance — proved too much.

Arkansas shot 54.5 percent in the second half and held High Point to 4‑for‑18 from deep after halftime. Richmond’s defensive sequence in the final two minutes — a rim interception followed by a block and rebound — set up two of Acuff’s clutch baskets.

The Razorbacks’ March pedigree under John Calipari continues to grow. Arkansas is now 7–0 in March, has won 12 of its last 14, and advances to its 16th Sweet 16 — and its fifth in the last six years. Calipari, now 61–23 in the NCAA Tournament, ties Tom Izzo for fifth‑most tournament wins all‑time.

Arkansas will head to San Jose next weekend looking every bit like a team capable of extending its run.