The Arkansas Razorbacks responded to their first setback of the season with an emphatic statement, rolling past Central Arkansas 93–56 on Tuesday night in Fayetteville. Led by their dynamic freshman backcourt of Darius Acuff and Meleek Thomas, the Razorbacks looked every bit the part of a team determined to get back on track.
Acuff paced Arkansas with a game-high 21 points, adding 4 rebounds and 6 assists in a performance that showcased his growing command of the offense. Thomas was right behind him, contributing 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists, continuing to display the all-around versatility that has made him one of the early standouts of the season.
The Razorbacks also got a major boost from Karter Knox, who stepped up in the absence of forward Trevon Brazile, sidelined for the matchup. Knox thrived in an expanded role, posting his first career double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds in just 24 minutes. Playing in a smaller lineup, Knox’s presence on the glass was crucial and could signal a turning point for the talented freshman as he carves out a larger role moving forward.
From start to finish, Arkansas controlled the tempo and found its rhythm from beyond the arc. The Razorbacks knocked down a season-high 13 three-pointers on 34 attempts, with Knox and Thomas each hitting four and Acuff adding three. After a competitive first half, Arkansas blew the game open by outscoring the Bears 50–22 in the second half, marking their fourth straight victory over Central Arkansas by at least 25 points since the in-state series resumed in 2020.
Defensively, the Razorbacks put together one of their most disciplined efforts of the season. They held the Bears to just 4-of-41 shooting from three-point range, a frigid 9.8 percent, and 28.4 percent overall from the field. Arkansas consistently ran shooters off the line and forced contested looks, effectively shutting down Central Arkansas’s perimeter-heavy attack.
It was the exact kind of bounce-back performance the team needed after falling to ranked Michigan State earlier in the week. Even without their star big man, the Razorbacks showed poise, balance, and plenty of firepower across the roster.
With Acuff and Thomas continuing to find their rhythm and Knox emerging as a capable frontcourt contributor, the Razorbacks’ future looks bright. If Tuesday’s performance was any indication, this young and talented Arkansas team is only beginning to scratch the surface of its potential.