arkansas vs alabama: Acuff's 49 Falls Short in 117-115 Double-Overtime Classic
In a game that lived up to its billing as a contender for game of the year, freshman Darius Acuff Jr. scored a career-high 49 points but Arkansas fell 117-115 to Alabama in double overtime on February 18, 2026 (ET) in Tuscaloosa. The Razorbacks mounted multiple leads, but Alabama’s late-game composure and depth ultimately decided a wild, 50-minute affair.
Acuff's historic night — and the fine margins of defeat
Acuff's performance carried Arkansas through a chaotic evening. Playing while wearing a protective boot earlier in the week, he logged all 50 minutes and finished 16-of-27 from the field, including 6-of-10 from long range, and added five rebounds and five assists. He single-handedly tied or influenced a vast chunk of Arkansas' scoring late: he scored or assisted on 35 of the Razorbacks' 58 points in the second half and overtime, and his 3-pointer with 12 seconds left in regulation forced the first overtime.
The freshman set multiple benchmarks: the most points by a freshman against an Top 25 team, the most points by an Arkansas freshman, and the highest single-game point total in an SEC game by a Razorback. He came within two points of the program record of 51. Yet Acuff missed jumpers at the ends of both extra frames; his final floater in the second overtime rattled off the backboard, and Alabama secured the rebound to seal the fifth straight victory for the home team.
Alabama's persistence and the game's turning points
Arkansas led by as many as 14 points on two occasions, but Alabama chipped away and refused to break. The Crimson Tide overcame those deficits with bench contributions and free-throw execution in the closing stages of each period. The contest required deep reserves as Arkansas' roster was thinned by fouls and injury concerns — the Razorbacks finished the night with a seven-man rotation and lost four players to fouls in overtime, forcing Acuff to shoulder a mammoth workload.
Key sequences swung the game in Alabama's favor: defensive stops in crunch moments of each extra session, timely rebounds off missed Arkansas attempts, and composure at the stripe when possessions became precious. Those elements combined to tip a razor-close contest in Alabama’s direction, leaving Arkansas to rue missed opportunities despite an all-time-level scoring night from their freshman star.
Standings and implications as the regular season winds down
The loss dropped Arkansas to 19-7 overall and 9-4 in SEC play, creating a three-way tie for second place in the league with Alabama and Tennessee; all three sit two games back of the conference leader. The Razorbacks’ recent stretch, bolstered by Acuff’s scoring tear — including three consecutive 25-plus point games and seven straight 20-point outings — still leaves them well positioned for March, but the defeat underscores questions about depth and late-game execution.
For Alabama, the 117-115 triumph extends a winning streak and injects momentum into the closing weeks of the regular season. The game served as a reminder that, while star performances can carry teams for stretches, conference play often hinges on bench depth and the ability to make the decisive plays when rosters are depleted. Both teams now pivot quickly to the next slate of SEC matchups, with little margin for error as the race tightens.
