In one of the best games in college basketball this season, No. 25 Alabama outlasted No. 20 Arkansas 117-115 in two overtimes Wednesday night in Tuscaloosa despite 49 points from Darius Acuff Jr.
Arkansas playing without two injured players in Karter Knox (knee) and Isaiah Sealy (hip) had four players foul out of the game. The Razorbacks led 57-47 at halftime, but Alabama charged back to tie the game at 77 on two free throws by Labaron Philon with 8:45 remaining in regulation.
John Calipari was disappointed in the loss, but not the effort of his team.
"The kids fought," Calipari said. "I'm disappointed, but I'm proud of them."
Calipari pointed to the difference in free throws. Alabama hit 27 of 34 at the charity stripe while the Hogs were able to hit 16, but only got to attempt 19.
"There was so many fouls called," Calipari said. "We're not getting to the line and we're a lane touching team. No excuses we had our chances."
Acuff's point total is the second most ever by a Razorback in a game. Rotnei Clarke had 51. Acuff, who played the entire 50 minutes, had five rebounds, five assists, one steal and a block while only turning the ball over a single time.
It appeared the Tide might get the win in regulation when they took a 95-92 lead with 18 seconds remaining. Nate Oats elected for his team not to foul and Acuff made them pay with a 3 six seconds later. Alabama couldn't covert in the final 12 seconds.
In the first overtime, Acuff gave the Razorbacks a 105-103 lead with 1:13 remaining. However, Alabama's Amari Allen knocked down a pair of free throws with 54 seconds remaining to tie the game. Those were the only two points scored in the final minute of the first overtime.
The Tide took a 117-113 lead in the second overtime with 51 seconds remaining. However, Trevon Brazile dunked the ball with 40 seconds left to pull the Razorbacks to within two. Brazile had a rough night offensively making only 5 of 13 shots from the field and missing all four from distance.
However, Arkansas got the ball back with a chance to force a third overtime or win it. Arkansas got a Brazile rebound with nine seconds remaining. Acuff missed a field goal, but Malique Ewin, who didn't score in 20 minutes missed a dunk that would have tied the game.
Nick Pringle, D.J. Wagner, Billy Richmond III and Meleek Thomas all fouled out for Arkansas. Calipari had to play Jaden Karuletwa three minutes and Elmir Dzafic one minute. Thomas scored 24 points, had six rebounds, two assists and a steal. Richmond chipped in 20 points, six boards and two assists. Brazile finished with 11 points, eight rebounds, one assist, three blocks and two steals.
Labaron Philon topped Alabama with 35 points, two rebounds and seven assists. Aiden Sherrell had 26 points and 13 rebounds. Allen finished with 19 points and 11 boards. Aden Holloway had 15 points, three rebounds and three assists.
Alabama (19-7, 9-4) moved even with Arkansas in the standings with the win. The Tide outrebounded Arkansas 43-36. The Razorbacks shot 49% (43-87) from the field compared to 56% (40-71) for the Tide. The Hogs surprisingly made more shots from distance 13-26 (50%) to 10 of 29 (34%) for Alabama. As Calipari noted, the Tide had a sizeable advantage at the free throw line.
Arkansas (19-7, 9-4) will return to Bud Walton Arena to host Missouri (17-8, 7-5) on Saturday at 3 p.m. on ESPN.