Darius Acuff Jr. put on a show with 24 points, eight assists and five rebounds, leading No. 21 Arkansas to an 88-68 win on Saturday in a Southeastern Conference game in Starkville, Miss.
Acuff was one of four players in double figures for the Razorbacks (17-6, 7-3), who received 19 points and seven boards from Trevon Brazile as well as 17 and 14 points from Meleek Thomas and Billy Richmond, respectively.
Josh Hubbard scored 16 points for the Bulldogs (11-12, 3-7), who still are searching for their first win over a ranked opponent this season. Achor Achor collected 15 points and eight rebounds while Jamarion Davis-Fleming chipped in 12 points.
Arkansas scored the final six points of the first half to seize a 43-30 lead. The Razorbacks stretched the advantage to 59-40 with 15:19 to play after a 3-pointer from Acuff.
Mississippi State never seriously threatened from there, and Arkansas led by as many as 20 points in the second half on its way to a bounce-back win.
The Razorbacks shot 52.2% (36-of-69) from the floor.
Arkansas asserted its dominance in the first half, using a backbreaking 20-2 run to take control.
Acuff capped the momentum-changing spurt with a layup and free throw with 8:48 to play, giving the Razorbacks a 29-13 advantage.
The Bulldogs had a hard time responding, going nearly five minutes without a basket and turning the ball over five times. Hubbard finally ended the run with a layup with 8:17 remaining.
Mississippi State got within single digits a few times late in the first half, including with 3:11 to go when Achor knocked down a jumper to make it 37-28.
The Bulldogs closed the gap to 37-30 on two free throws by Ja’Borri McGhee with 2:35 remaining, but the Razorbacks took a 13-point lead into the locker room despite making only one field goal over the final 3:37 of play.
That lone made shot, however, was a big one with a second remaining as Acuff connected on a 3-pointer before a defender could get to him.
–Field Level Media
