The Hogs’ second-half rally fell short as Ole Miss hit a late 3-pointer to win the game 83-80. The Razorbacks were eliminated from the SEC Tournament and will head back to Fayetteville to await Selection Sunday and see where their late-season turnaround places them.
“Good college game,” head coach John Calipari said. “Hard-fought, probably fun to watch. I didn’t like the ending, but the kids fought, and they battled.”
Game Summary
The Razorbacks struggled to find their offensive rhythm early, allowing Ole Miss to jump out to a 9-0 lead. Once Arkansas started making shots, it climbed back and took a 16-14 lead with 12:13 left in the first half. Ole Miss responded with a run, extending its lead to 37-22. However, the Razorbacks clawed back in the closing minutes, cutting the deficit to 42-34 at halftime.
Both teams traded baskets early in the second half, but Ole Miss maintained control until Arkansas took a 55-53 lead with 10:48 remaining. The Razorbacks quickly extended the advantage to eight points within two minutes, but the game remained tightly contested down the stretch. With 29 seconds left, DJ Wagner put Arkansas up 80-77, but on the following possession, Ole Miss converted an and-one to tie the game. The Rebels got the ball with six seconds remaining and drained a 3-pointer in the final seconds to secure an 83-80 victory.
Who Stood Out for the Hogs
Billy Richmond III had one of his best performances of the season, scoring 15 points on 4-of-7 shooting. He also went 6 of 8 from the free-throw line and made his lone 3-point attempt while adding four rebounds, an assist, a steal, and a block in 31 minutes.
Jonas Aidoo continued his strong play, leading Arkansas with 17 points on 6-of-10 shooting. He also grabbed eight rebounds, dished out two assists, and contributed a steal and a block in 27 minutes before fouling out late in the game.
Karter Knox contributed across the board, finishing with 14 points on 3-of-9 shooting, including 3 of 7 from beyond the arc. He also added three rebounds, four assists, a steal, and a block.
Johnell Davis scored 10 points on 4-of-7 shooting, including 1 of 3 from 3-point range and 1 of 1 from the foul line. He protected the ball well with just one turnover, but his defensive impact stood out most, recording four steals and a block in 33 minutes.
“I told them, this is one of the most rewarding years that I’ve had,” Calipari said. “I’m talking for me as a coach, all that we were up against, these kids never stopped.”
Looking Ahead for the Hogs
The Razorbacks will return to Fayetteville and await their Selection Sunday fate, hoping their late-season push secures them a spot in the NCAA Tournament.