Homefield — March Madness

High PointNo. 12

ArkansasNo. 4

FinalTBS

45.2%

25.0%

3PT

REB

AST

51.5%

56.3%

3PT

REB

AST

Since 1985, 4-seeds are 32-13 vs 12-seeds (71.1%).

Acuff Carries Arkansas Past High Point's Upset Bid

Arkansas survived a 12-seed scare, 94-88, because Darius Acuff Jr. was simply a different level of player than anyone High Point could put in front of him.

Acuff finished with 34 points on 11-of-22 shooting, adding six assists against two turnovers in 34 minutes — and it was his ability to get to the free throw line (9-of-11) that kept Arkansas ahead every time High Point threatened to close the gap. He was the primary shot creator, the ball-handler under pressure, and the most reliable finisher on the floor.

Meleek Thomas gave Arkansas a critical second scoring option, dropping 19 points on 8-of-16 shooting with three made threes, while Billy Richmond III quietly put together the most complete two-way line of the night: 15 points, nine rebounds, two steals, and a block on 6-of-9 from the field.

The sharpest team-level separator was Arkansas's three-point shooting: the Razorbacks hit 9-of-16 from deep (56.3%) while High Point went 9-of-36 (25.0%), a 19-point swing in expected value that more than accounted for the final margin. Rob Martin gave Arkansas real problems with 30 points and five assists, and High Point's 11 offensive rebounds kept possessions alive, but the Panthers' perimeter volume-shooting approach collapsed at the worst possible time on the biggest stage.

Game Story

The Arkansas Razorbacks held off the High Point Panthers 94-88 in a competitive contest.•Darius Acuff Jr. exploded for a game-high 34 points adding 6 assists.•Rob Martin fired back with 30 points for the Panthers.•Arkansas shot 51.5% from the field, edging High Point's 45.2%.•Cam'Ron Fletcher also contributed 25 points.•The Arkansas Razorbacks held off the High Point Panthers 94-88 in a competitive contest.•Darius Acuff Jr. exploded for a game-high 34 points adding 6 assists.•Rob Martin fired back with 30 points for the Panthers.•Arkansas shot 51.5% from the field, edging High Point's 45.2%.•Cam'Ron Fletcher also contributed 25 points.•