Arkansas Dominates South Carolina 108–74 in SEC Clash
Game Recap
Arkansas seized control early and never let go. After trading baskets in the opening minutes, the Razorbacks ramped up pressure on both ends of the floor, forcing turnovers and turning them into easy transition points. By halftime, Arkansas had built a commanding double-digit lead, and the margin only widened after the break.
The Razorbacks shot an efficient 59% from the field (43-of-73) and 38% from three-point range (8-of-21), consistently finding open looks through crisp ball movement. South Carolina, meanwhile, managed just 44% shooting and struggled from beyond the arc, hitting 7-of-30 (23%) from three.
Arkansas’ largest lead grew to 43 points, reflecting the one-sided nature of the contest as reserves logged extended minutes late in the game.
Player of the Game
Darius Acuff Jr. (Arkansas)
Acuff orchestrated the Razorbacks’ offense to near perfection, finishing with 18 points and 13 assists while committing zero turnovers. His poise and vision repeatedly broke down South Carolina’s defense, creating high-percentage looks for teammates and fueling Arkansas’ fast-break attack.
Honorable mention goes to Malique Ewin, who provided a major spark off the bench with 18 points on 8-of-10 shooting, and Meekel Thomas, who added 21 points while knocking down five three-pointers.
For South Carolina, Meechie Johnson was the lone bright spot, scoring 29 points on 9-of-13 shooting, including 3-of-6 from deep, while going a perfect 8-of-10 at the free-throw line.
Turnovers: The Deciding Factor
Turnovers told much of the story:
South Carolina: 16 turnovers
Arkansas: 4 turnovers
Arkansas converted those mistakes into 22 points off turnovers, while South Carolina managed just two in the same category. The Razorbacks’ defensive activity (12 steals, eight blocks) consistently disrupted the Gamecocks’ offensive rhythm and prevented any sustained runs.
Penalties and Tempo
The game was relatively clean from a fouling standpoint, with South Carolina committing 14 fouls and Arkansas 12. Free throws were not a major differentiator.
Tempo, however, was decisive. Arkansas thrived in transition, outscoring South Carolina 32–7 in fast-break points and dominating the paint 66–36. The Razorbacks’ ability to push the ball after misses or turnovers kept the Gamecocks on their heels all night.
What’s Next for South Carolina
South Carolina will need to regroup quickly. Ball security and perimeter shooting remain pressing concerns, particularly against aggressive SEC defenses. The Gamecocks will also look for more balanced scoring behind Meechie Johnson, as no other player reached double figures. Cleaning up turnovers and improving offensive spacing will be critical moving forward.
What’s Next for Arkansas
Arkansas appears to be hitting its stride at the right time. The combination of efficient shooting, an elite assist-to-turnover ratio, and depth off the bench makes the Razorbacks a dangerous matchup. If they continue to defend at this level and push the pace, Arkansas will be well-positioned to make a strong run through SEC play.