Fourteenth-ranked Arkansas trades punches with No. 8 Houston, but struggles at the free throw line prove costly in a 9485 loss Saturday night in the Never Forget Tribute Classic at the Prudential Center.
Arkansas enters the game ranked among the NCAA’s top 30 teams in free throw percentage, but finishes just 21-of-35 at the line. The Razorbacks go 8-of-13 in the first half and 13-of-22 in the second.
Darius Acuff Jr. leads all scorers with 27 points, adding seven assists and five rebounds. Malique Ewin chips in 20 points and nine rebounds, drawing 11 fouls but converting 10-of-17 free throws.
Houston gets 22 points from Emanuel Sharp, who goes 7-of-9 at the line. Freshman guard Kingston Flemings adds 21 points on 7-of-8 free throw shooting, along with six rebounds and five assists.
Arkansas trails by as many as 21 midway through the first half but tightens defensively late, holding Houston scoreless for more than five minutes. Despite the surge, the Razorbacks can’t capitalize at the line and go into halftime down eight.
The Razorbacks struggle to find a rhythm early in the second half, making just three of their first 12 shots as Houston builds the lead back to 17 with just over five minutes remaining. Arkansas mounts a late push but comes up nine points short.
Arkansas now has nine days off before returning to Bud Walton Arena to host James Madison on Monday, December 29. Tipoff is set for 7.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI