Arkansas
Ole Miss
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (03/13/2026) — The Arkansas Razorbacks survived a high-octane offensive battle Friday, outlasting the Ole Miss Rebels 93-90 in a fiercely contested matchup at Bridgestone Arena. A dominant performance on the glass and clutch scoring from guards Meleek Thomas and Darius Acuff Jr. proved to be the difference, propelling Arkansas forward.
Thomas led all scorers with 29 points, while Acuff Jr. added 24 points and a game-high seven assists. The Razorbacks also received crucial double-double performances from forwards Trevon Brazile (16 points, 10 rebounds) and Malique Ewin (14 points, 13 rebounds).
For Ole Miss, guard AJ Storr delivered a valiant 24-point effort in the loss. The Rebels shot an efficient 50% from the field but were ultimately undone by a significant rebounding disparity, with Arkansas controlling the boards 44-31.
How It Happened
The game was a back-and-forth affair from the opening tip, with 11 ties and seven lead changes. Ole Miss struck first on a dunk from James Scott just 13 seconds into the contest. Arkansas immediately answered with its own interior attack, as a series of dunks from Billy Richmond III and Trevon Brazile established an early presence in the paint.
The Razorbacks created separation midway through the first half behind the perimeter shooting of Meleek Thomas. He connected on consecutive three-pointers, both assisted by Darius Acuff Jr., to give Arkansas a 17-9 advantage with 12:48 on the clock. Brazile continued his assault at the rim, finishing the half with multiple powerful dunks.
Ole Miss refused to fade, chipping away at the deficit. An AJ Storr three-pointer at the 4:51 mark cut the Arkansas lead to 29-28. The Rebels closed the half strong, with a trio of free throws from Patton Pinkins in the final second trimming the Arkansas lead to just 37-36 at the break.
The second half saw the lead trade hands multiple times. Malik Dia scored on the opening possession to put Ole Miss ahead 38-37. The teams exchanged baskets until a 26-foot three-pointer by Acuff Jr. at 17:06 briefly put Arkansas back on top, 44-42. The Rebels kept pace, staying within striking distance for the next several minutes.
Turning Point
With the game hanging in the balance, Arkansas seized control with a decisive 10-0 run midway through the second half. After a Meleek Thomas three-pointer gave the Razorbacks a 58-55 lead with 10:12 remaining, the defense tightened and the offense found a new gear. The run, which turned a one-point deficit into a 68-60 lead, was powered by the frontcourt. Malique Ewin was instrumental in the surge, scoring on back-to-back possessions with powerful dunks at the 8:00 and 7:30 marks. That sequence created a cushion that Ole Miss, despite its best efforts, could not overcome in the final minutes.
Star of the Game
While several Razorbacks had standout performances, guard Meleek Thomas was the offensive engine. He finished with a game-high 29 points, shooting effectively from all over the court. Thomas added 5 rebounds and 5 assists, consistently creating scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. His timely three-pointers in both halves were critical in building and sustaining Arkansas's momentum.
What It Means
For the Arkansas Razorbacks, this victory is a significant step, showcasing their offensive versatility and frontcourt toughness. The combined 53 points from their starting backcourt of Thomas and Acuff Jr., complemented by the 27 rebounds from Brazile and Ewin, demonstrates a balanced attack that can win in multiple ways. The Razorbacks' ability to dominate the glass and win a high-scoring shootout is a promising sign.
For the Ole Miss Rebels, it’s a difficult end to a well-played game. The offense was highly efficient, with four players scoring in double figures, led by Storr's 24 points. However, the inability to secure defensive rebounds against the bigger Arkansas front line proved fatal. The 13-rebound deficit gave Arkansas too many second-chance opportunities in a game decided by a single possession.