Alabama Beats Arkansas in Double-OT Thriller
No. 25 Alabama defeated No. 20 Arkansas 117-115 in double overtime on February 18, marking one of the highest-scoring SEC matchups of the season. The game featured clutch performances on both sides with multiple lead changes in the final minutes of regulation and both overtime periods. The victory keeps Alabama in contention for SEC tournament seeding as March approaches.
- Arkansas freshman guard Darius Acuff Jr. scored a career-high 49 points, the second-most by any player in a single game in college basketball this season. He played all 50 minutes of the contest. - Alabama's victory was a significant comeback, as they overcame a 14-point second-half deficit. The Crimson Tide shot a blistering 76 percent from the field in the second half to help close the gap. - The win was crucial for Alabama's SEC Tournament seeding, moving them into a tie with Arkansas for second place in the conference standings with a 9-4 record. The victory is a key factor in the race for a top-four seed and a coveted double-bye in the tournament. - Multiple Alabama players had career-best performances, including guard Labaron Philon Jr., who scored a career-high 35 points, and forward Aiden Sherrell, who posted a career-high 26 points and 13 rebounds. - The game was physically demanding, with a total of four players fouling out during the overtime periods, significantly impacting Arkansas's already limited seven-man rotation. - The 117 points scored by Alabama are the second-most in the program's history. - This victory extended Alabama's winning streak over Arkansas to six games. - Looking ahead, Alabama will travel to face LSU on February 21, while Arkansas will return home to play Missouri on the same day.
