darius acuff’s 49-point outburst nearly lifts Arkansas in 117-115 2OT loss at Alabama
Freshman guard Darius Acuff Jr. produced one of the season’s most electrifying individual performances, scoring a career-high 49 points and logging all 50 minutes, but the Razorbacks still fell 117-115 in double overtime at Alabama on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026 (7: 00 pm ET tipoff).
Acuff’s historic night and the razor-thin finish
Wearing a protective boot earlier in the week, Acuff shrugged off concerns and dominated in Tuscaloosa. He made 16 of 27 shots, including 6 of 10 from beyond the arc, and added five rebounds and five assists. His 49 points are the second-most by any player this college basketball season, the most ever by an Arkansas freshman, the most by a freshman against an Top 25 team, and the most points in a Southeastern Conference game by a Razorback. He finished just two points shy of the program record of 51 set in 2009.
Acuff’s late-game heroics kept Arkansas alive multiple times. He drilled a 3-pointer with 12 seconds remaining in regulation to force the first overtime and had the ball on the final possession of double overtime; his floater in the lane bounced off the backboard and Alabama secured the rebound to close out a 117-115 victory. He also missed jump shots at the end of each extra frame, underscoring how close the contest was.
Context: injury-depleted rotation, fouls and team implications
The Razorbacks were down to a seven-man rotation and lost four teammates to fouling out in overtime, forcing Acuff to shoulder an enormous load. He played every minute for the coach’s shorthanded squad and directly influenced the late scoring surge: he scored or assisted on 35 of Arkansas’ 58 points in the second half and overtime.
Arkansas led by as many as 14 points on two occasions but could not hold off the Crimson Tide, dropping the Razorbacks to 19-7 overall and 9-4 in the SEC. The loss leaves Arkansas in a three-way tie for second place in the league, two games behind the defending national champion, which sits atop the conference. Despite the defeat, the freshman’s sustained scoring streak — his third consecutive game with at least 25 points and his seventh straight with 20 or more — has vaulted Arkansas into March contention talk.
Coach John Calipari highlighted Acuff’s will and presence, noting the guard’s ability to elevate teammates and deliver under pressure. Calipari also quipped about the boot that had been on Acuff earlier in the week, underscoring how unexpected and impressive the performance was given the minor injury.
What’s next for Arkansas
Arkansas returns home following the loss and faces a quick turnaround. The Razorbacks will host Missouri on Saturday, Feb. 21, at 4: 00 pm ET, then welcome Texas A& M on Wednesday, Feb. 25, at 9: 00 pm ET. With Acuff trending upward and carrying a heavy scoring load, Arkansas will lean on him heavily down the stretch as it tries to secure seeding and momentum heading into the postseason.
Even in defeat, Wednesday’s game emphasized two developing storylines: Acuff’s emergence as a top-tier freshman scorer and the team’s need for depth against quality opponents. How Arkansas responds during the home slate that follows will go a long way toward defining its march into March.
