Darius Acuff Jr. scores 37 as Arkansas edges Oklahoma to reach SEC Tournament semifinals

Razorbacks survive late pressure in Nashville

Arkansas advanced to the Southeastern Conference tournament semifinals after holding off Oklahoma in a tight quarterfinal decided in the final possessions. Freshman guard Darius Acuff Jr. scored 37 points, a season-high in postseason play, as the 17th-ranked Razorbacks closed out an Oklahoma comeback attempt to secure the win and move within one game of the conference title matchup.

The result sent Arkansas into the tournament’s final four at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, where the SEC championship week has served as a proving ground for teams seeking momentum heading into the NCAA tournament selection process.

How the game swung

Arkansas’ offensive backbone was Acuff, who carried a heavy scoring load while also drawing defensive attention that shaped Oklahoma’s coverages. Oklahoma stayed within reach by matching Arkansas’ pace for long stretches and generating enough offense to keep the margin in single digits into the closing minutes.

Down the stretch, Arkansas protected its advantage with key stops and enough made free throws and half-court execution to prevent Oklahoma from taking the lead. The Sooners forced a contested finish, but Arkansas avoided the turnover-and-foul sequence that often flips neutral-site games in the final minute.

What the win says about Arkansas

Arkansas has leaned heavily on Acuff throughout the season, and his 37-point performance reinforced the Razorbacks’ ability to win when games tighten into isolation possessions and late-clock shot-making. The victory also highlighted Arkansas’ capacity to withstand a second-half push without needing a runaway shooting night from the rest of the rotation.

• Primary driver: Acuff’s 37 points accounted for a significant share of Arkansas’ scoring.
• Late-game priority: ball security and defensive rebounding to finish possessions.
• Neutral-site factor: execution in half-court offense and free-throw situations.

Oklahoma’s path ends with another close loss

Oklahoma’s SEC tournament run ended despite a competitive performance that kept the Sooners within striking distance throughout the second half. The Sooners’ ability to pressure Arkansas late created a one-possession feel, but the margin was never fully reversed.

SEC tournament games often turn on two or three possessions late; Arkansas won those possessions with a combination of shot-making and stops.

What’s next

Arkansas will play in the SEC tournament semifinals next, with the opponent determined by the remaining quarterfinal results. The Sooners shift to NCAA tournament uncertainty, with their final résumé now complete after the loss in Nashville.