Arkansas defeats Tennessee 86-75
Arkansas Rolls Past Tennessee in Conference Showdown
The Razorbacks proved that they're a force to be reckoned with in the Southeastern Conference, as they handed visiting Tennessee a 86-75 loss on Monday night at Bud Walton Arena.
Despite being the road team, Arkansas dominated the contest from start to finish, outscoring their opponents by 11 points. The home crowd was electric throughout, and the Razorbacks' energy seemed to be contagious for their opponents.
At halftime, the score was tied at 37-37, but Arkansas came out strong in the second half, stretching its lead to as many as 14 points. Tennessee never truly threatened, although they did manage to trim the deficit to 7 points with a little over three minutes remaining.
For Arkansas, it was another impressive performance from senior Darius Acuff Jr., who led the way with 29 points on 3-7 shooting from beyond the arc and a stout 56.2% field goal percentage. Acuff also contributed 4 assists to help his team control the tempo of the game.
Karter Knox added 11 points and 7 rebounds, while the Razorbacks' bench chipped in with crucial scoring and defensive efforts down the stretch.
On the other side of the court, Tennessee struggled to find its footing against Arkansas' stifling defense. The Volunteers were held to just 49% from the field and 38% from three-point range, both of which ranked among the lowest totals in the game.
Felix Okpara paced Tennessee with 7 rebounds, while Ja'Kobi Gillespie managed 14 points on 4 assists. However, it was clear that Tennessee was outmatched by Arkansas' superior talent and cohesion.
Overall, this conference showdown was a significant victory for Arkansas, one that could potentially impact the Razorbacks' seeding in the upcoming tournament. With their strong performance, they proved themselves to be a team to watch in the SEC.
The final margin of 11 points may have seemed daunting for Tennessee, but it's worth noting that Arkansas had already led by as many as 14 points early in the second half. The Volunteers simply couldn't muster enough offense to overcome this deficit.
As Arkansas looks towards their next challenge, they'll be proud of their overall effort tonight. With a win like this under their belt, they're well-positioned for another deep postseason run.