FAYETTEVILLE -- No. 18 Arkansas started slowly on Saturday, but used a strong second half to defeat No. 19 Tennessee 86-75 before a packed house at Bud Walton Arena.

Freshman guards Darius Acuff Jr. and Meleek Thomas were huge for the Razorbacks. Acuff finished with 29 points, three rebounds and four assists. Thomas added 18 points, three rebounds and three steals. John Calipari saw his team wins its SEC opener after starting 0-5 last year in the league. Calipari was impressed by the fans.

"I have seen this building this way when I was on the other side," Calipari said.

Three key players got fewer minutes on Saturday than normal. Billy Richmond (15), D.J. Wagner (14) and Nick Pringle (13). The reason they got fewer minutes according to Calipari was how Thomas, Karter Knox and Malique Ewin played. Knox had 11 points and tied for top rebounder with Trevon Brazile pulling down seven. Ewin added 12 points, six rebounds and four blocked shots.

"How about Malique Ewin finally?," Calipari said. "Four blocks. You know what that does? It's telling on yourself. He could have been doing that for awhile."

Thomas also was impressed with how the team played. The Razorbacks fell behind early 9-2, but quickly went on a 9-0 run to erase the deficit.

"I think the team played phenomenal tonight," Thomas said. "We all played for each other. No one was selfish. We play for each other and it showed."

At halftime, Arkansas held a 37-36 lead. Thomas said what the message from Calipari was at that time.

"Coach said we are fine," Thomas said. "Everything is good. Make sure we're getting our paint touches."

The Vols last lead was 58-57 with 9:44 remaining in the game, but the Razorbacks went on another 9-0 run to take a 66-58 lead with 6:11 remaining in the game. The Vols got within two points, 68-66 with 4:16 remaining in the game. but Acuff hit a shot from deep for a 71-66 advantage.

"Acuff gets us going," Thomas said. "He's a dawg. When we need a basket we put the ball in his hands."

Thomas may have had the play of the game with 15:26 remaining and the Vols up 45-41. Thomas hit a 3-pointer from deep and was fouled on the play. He went to the free throw line to complete the four-point play.

"It felt like what I envisioned growing up as a kid," Thomas said. "I wanted to go to college. The arena packed and I wanted to make a big-time plays and that's exactly what that felt like."

Tennessee made four more field goals than Arkansas while shooting 49% from the field to 42 for the Hogs. Tennessee shot 38% from behind the 3-point line while the Razorbacks only made 30%. But it was the free throw line where Arkansas won the game. The Razorbacks made 29-33 free throws including 25-27 in the second half. Tennessee shot 52% from the charity stripe only making 12 of 23.

Arkansas narrowly won the rebounding battle 36-33 but did block 10 shots to only two for the Vols. Arkansas (11-3, 1-0). Arkansas will be at Ole Miss Wednesday night for an 8 p.m. tip and televised on the SEC Network.

Tennessee (10-4, 0-1) was led by Amari Evans with 16 points, Ja'K Gillespie had 14 and Nate Ament 13.