In a pulse-pounding SEC tournament semifinal, No. 17 Arkansas escaped with a 93-90 overtime victory over 15th-seeded Ole Miss, propelled by Meleek Thomas’ 29 points and a dominant rebounding effort, setting up a final showdown with Vanderbilt.
The third-seeded Razorbacks (25-8) survived a desperate rally from the Rebels (15-20) in a game that showcased both offensive firepower and late-game tension. Arkansas built a significant lead but couldn’t shake a resilient Ole Miss squad that nearly pulled off one of the tournament’s most stunning upsets.
Key to the victory was a balanced offensive attack. Meleek Thomas poured in 29 points, while Darius Acuff Jr. added 24. The frontcourt duo of Trevon Brazile (16 points, 10 rebounds) and Malique Ewen (14 points, 13 boards) both recorded double-doubles, with Ewen grabbing a game-high 13 rebounds. This interior presence was crucial, as Arkansas outrebounded Ole Miss 44-31, a decisive edge in a tight contest.
For Ole Miss, reserve AJ Storr led all scorers with 24 points, including a breathtaking left-handed layup with one second left in regulation to force overtime. Malik Dia chipped in 16 points, while Patton Pinkins (15) and Ilias Kamardine (13) provided key support. Kamardine’s two free throws with seven seconds left in regulation cut Arkansas’ lead to one, and his subsequent foul out sent Thomas to the line for a critical free throw.
The Rebels’ strategy was clear: attack the rim and live at the free-throw line. They shot 11 of 15 on layups in the first half, trailing only 37-36 at halftime. Their aggressive play kept them within striking distance, and they took a 70-60 deficit with 5:43 remaining in regulation before mounting their final charge.
However, Arkansas’ discipline and execution in overtime proved the difference. The Razorbacks never trailed in the extra period, though Storr’s drive and dunk with nine seconds left cut the lead to 91-90. After Acuff hit one of two free throws, Storr missed a potential game-winning three. Brazile secured the rebound and sank two more foul shots to essentially seal the game before Travis Perry’s half-court heave missed at the buzzer.
Arkansas’ 74.2% free-throw shooting was vital, though their 4-of-8 mark in overtime left the door ajar. This game underscores a recurring theme for the Razorbacks: a potent offense that can be vulnerable to frenzied comebacks. Their ability to rebound and secure possessions—winning the glass by 13—ultimately saved them from an historicSEC tournament exit.
What does this mean moving forward? Arkansas advances to the SEC tournament final to face No. 22 Vanderbilt, which routed top-seeded Florida 91-74 earlier in the day. This sets up a championship clash between two top-25 teams, with both squads likely solidifying their NCAA tournament positioning. For Vanderbilt, it’s a chance to claim the program’s first SEC tournament title since 1951. For Arkansas, it’s an opportunity to lift the trophy and build momentum for a deep March Madness run.
The fan narrative is rich with “what-ifs.” Ole Miss, as a 15th seed, became the lowest seed to reach the SEC tournament semifinals in modern history and nearly became the first 15-seed to upset a top-three team in this tournament. Their run—four wins in as many days for a team with a sub-.500 overall record—will be remembered as one of the most courageous underdog stories in recent conference tournament lore. Field Level Media documented the game’s full ebb and flow, highlighting the Rebels’ resilience and the Razorbacks’ nerve.
Looking ahead, Arkansas must address their occasional lapse in closing games, but the presence of Thomas and Acuff—both explosive scorers—combined with Brazile and Ewen’s interior dominance, gives them a high ceiling. Vanderbilt, meanwhile, presents a tough matchup with their own balanced attack. The final promises to be a tactical battle between two programs peaking at the right time.
For Arkansas, this overtime escape serves as both a warning and a confidence boost. They have the talent to win the SEC tournament, but they must maintain focus for 40 full minutes—or in this case, 45—to avoid similar scares. The Razorbacks’ next step comes against a Commodores squad that handled Florida with ease, setting the stage for a classic conference championship.
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