No. 15 Arkansas overcame a 13-point deficit to hand Oklahoma an 83-79 loss in Lloyd Noble Center Tuesday night.
Arkansas (16-5, 6-2) handed Oklahoma (11-10, 1-7) its seventh loss in a row. The Sooners took a 38-25 lead with 7:24 remaining in the first half, but the Razorbacks fought back to pull within 48-44 at the half. John Calipari was pleased to see the Hogs get their second road win in SEC play this season.
"We did some good stuff, but if LSU and Oklahoma play like that they're winning games," Calipari said. "They came out and got us down 13 and I'm having to call timeouts in the first just to get the game close. Good win though."
Arkansas won despite only shooting 2 of 17 (12%) from behind the 3-point line. But Arkansas shot 56% (36-63) from the field and outscored the Sooners 56-30 in the paint. The Razorbacks were once again led by Darius Acuff Jr. with 21 points, three rebounds and nine assists.
"When we shoot 2 of 17 from the 3 and figure out a way to win means we're a pretty good team," Calipari said.
With OU holding a 79-77 lead Acuff went to work with 1:01 remaining in the game. Acuff hit a free throw to cut the deficit to one. After a Sooner's miss, Acuff made a driving layup then completed the 3-point play with a free throw with 21.2 seconds remaining. Meleek Thomas hit two free throws to ice the game with 11 seconds left in the game.
Acuff also gave Arkansas its first lead of the game since 13:40 remaining the opening half. Arkansas led 14-13 at that point then trailed until Acuff hit a basket putting the Hogs up 51-50 with 16:56 remaining in the game.
The Arkansas bench was also good outscoring the Sooners 21-9. Malique Ewin had 12 points and four rebounds while Billy Richmond chipped in nine points, three rebounds and two steals.
Thomas added 16 points and four rebounds. Karter Knox had 11 points and Trevon Brazile had six points, seven rebounds, four assists and two blocks.
OU made 20 field goals in the first half, but only nine in the final 20 minutes. They shot 46% (29-63) from the field and 37% (10-27) from deep.
The Sooners were led by Nigel Pack with 21 points. Tae Davis had 14 points, Xzaryvier Brown 13 points and six boards. Derrion Reid had 12 points and six rebounds. Mohamed Wague finished with nine points, 12 rebounds and four assists.
Arkansas will be at home Saturday to host Kentucky at 5:30 p.m. and televised on ESPN. Kentucky was at Vanderbilt in Tuesday's late game.