No. 21 Arkansas Basketball Dominates LSU 91-62 as Darius Acuff Jr Continues Freshman Surge

No. 21 Arkansas delivered a decisive SEC road statement Tuesday night, overwhelming LSU 91-62 at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge behind another breakout performance from freshman guard Darius Acuff Jr.

In the latest update from the Southeastern Conference race, Acuff poured in 28 points, marking his fifth straight game with at least 21 and reinforcing his growing impact in Arkansas basketball’s postseason outlook. Fellow freshman Meleek Thomas added 20 points, while Trevon Brazile recorded 14 points and 12 rebounds. Billy Richmond III contributed 13 points as the Razorbacks improved to 18-6 overall and 8-3 in SEC play.

Arkansas controlled the timeline from the opening possession. The Razorbacks scored the first eight points of the game and held LSU scoreless for the first 3:58. A 12-2 early run established control, and Arkansas never trailed. By halftime, the Razorbacks led 42-27 after shooting efficiently and dictating tempo.

Acuff, who entered the game averaging 20.5 points per contest, continued his consistent production. He has now scored 20 or more points in 14 games this season, including a season high 31 in a previous victory over LSU in Fayetteville on Jan. 24. His fast break layup early in the second half ignited a 15-3 surge that extended the lead to 69-37 with 9:36 remaining, effectively ending any comeback hopes.

Arkansas shot 56 percent from the field, finishing 35 of 62, a sharp contrast to LSU’s 31 percent shooting performance at 21 of 68. Despite being outrebounded 43-36 and allowing 21 offensive rebounds, Arkansas limited LSU to just 13 second chance points, minimizing the impact of the Tigers’ extra possessions.

Marquel Sutton led LSU with 18 points, and Pablo Tamba added 11. The Tigers fell to 14-10 overall and 2-9 in conference play, dropping their fifth game in six outings. LSU has struggled to generate consistent offensive efficiency during this stretch, a key factor in its slide down the SEC standings.

A notable moment occurred late in the game when Arkansas forward Malique Ewin exited after taking contact to the head from Tamba, who was assessed a flagrant foul. Ewin’s status will be part of the next steps to monitor as Arkansas evaluates potential medical implications ahead of a critical stretch in conference play.

The impact of this result extends beyond one win. Arkansas had lost its previous three trips to Baton Rouge, making Tuesday’s performance a significant road breakthrough. With five wins in its last six games, Arkansas continues to strengthen its NCAA Tournament positioning and SEC seeding outlook.

What this means moving forward is clear: the Razorbacks’ freshman class is accelerating the program’s trajectory. Acuff and Thomas provide perimeter scoring and pace, while Brazile anchors the interior with rebounding and versatility. If Arkansas maintains this efficiency, it projects as a dangerous matchup in March.

Next, Arkansas hosts Auburn in a key SEC contest that will shape the conference race. LSU travels to Tennessee seeking to halt its recent slide and stabilize its season before the conference tournament.