Darius Acuff Jr. erupted for 36 points, including nine of Arkansas’ final 11, to power the Razorbacks past High Point 94-88 and into the Sweet 16, halting the Panthers’ bid for a second straight NCAA Tournament miracle.
Darius Acuff Jr. delivered a performance for the ages, scoring 36 points and taking over in the clutch to lift fourth-seeded Arkansas to a 94-88 victory over 12th-seeded High Point in the NCAA Tournament West Region on Saturday.Field Level Media
The win sends the Razorbacks to the Sweet 16 for the second consecutive season under coach John Calipari. They will face the winner of Sunday’s Arizona-Utah State matchup in San Jose.
For High Point, the loss ends one of the most improbable runs in recent tournament history. The Panthers (31-5) had just secured the first NCAA Tournament victory in school history on Thursday and entered Saturday with a 15-game winning streak.
The Making of a Clutch Performance
With the game tied 83-83 and just over three minutes remaining, Acuff took control. He scored nine of Arkansas’ final 11 points, showcasing a blend of athletic finishes and timely shooting.
After two driving layups, Acuff hit a dagger three-pointer with 1:30 left to give the Razorbacks a 90-83 lead. High Point never got closer than four points down the stretch.
“Just trying to win,” Acuff said afterward. “Just made the right play. Anything to come out with a win, that’s what I had to do.”
Acuff finished 11-of-22 from the field and 11-of-13 from the free-throw line, adding six assists. His ability to draw contact and convert at the rim proved decisive.
High Point’s Historic Season Falls Short
The Panthers were led by guard Rob Martin, who poured in 30 points—one shy of his career high—before fouling out late. Martin added five assists.
Cam’Ron Fletcher was spectacular for High Point, recording 25 points and coming within two rebounds of a third consecutive double-double. Terry Anderson chipped in 15 points.
Chase Johnston, the hero of High Point’s first-round win over Wisconsin, was held to nine points on 3-of-8 shooting from three-point range. Johnston had made 71 of his 72 field goals this season from beyond the arc prior to this game.
High Point’s run captivated the tournament, but Arkansas’ experience and Acuff’s explosiveness ultimately proved too much.
Arkansas’ Path Forward
The Razorbacks (28-8) have now won seven in a row and nine of their last 10 games. Their ability to win tight games has been a hallmark of this season.
Billy Richmond III contributed 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Malique Ewin added 14 points and 12 boards. Ewin’s two free throws with 44.4 seconds left sealed the victory.
Calipari acknowledged Acuff’s takeover ability, noting, “That’s happened a few times. He’s done it. I’ll even ask, ‘Do you want a screen or do you want open court, tell me what you want.'”
Arkansas now sets its sights on the regional semifinals, aiming for a second straight trip to the Elite Eight under Calipari.
For High Point, a 31-win season and a first-round NCAA victory will be remembered as the greatest in program history, even if the dream fell just short of a second weekend.
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