In an epic men's college basketball clash, the 25th-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide survived a double-overtime thriller to defeat the 20th-ranked Arkansas Razorbacks 117-115 on Wednesday night. The game featured a heroic 49-point performance from Arkansas freshman star Darius Acuff Jr., but it ultimately wasn't enough for the win.
Acuff, a potential NBA lottery pick, forced the first overtime with a late three-pointer and helped force the second OT with clutch free throws. However, his floater and a Malique Ewin putback attempt both missed in the final seconds of the second overtime, allowing Alabama to secure the rebound and the victory as time expired.
Acuff's phenomenal night included shooting 16-of-27 from the field and 6-of-10 from three-point range, adding 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Billy Richmond added 20 points and Meleek Thomas scored 24 for Arkansas.
Alabama's balanced attack was led by Labaron Philon Jr.'s 35 points and 7 assists. Aiden Sherrell contributed a double-double with 26 points and 13 rebounds, while Amari Allen added 19 points and 11 rebounds. The back-and-forth contest saw Arkansas lead by as many as 13 points in the second half before Alabama mounted its comeback, setting the stage for the dramatic overtime finish.