Arkansas pulls away in 2nd half to beat UCA, 93-56    

Arkansas stats

FAYETTEVILLE – Arkansas sophomore Karter Knox recorded his first career double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds, while freshmen Darius Acuff Jr. and Meleek Thomas combined for 38 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists to lead #21 Arkansas to a 93-56 basketball victory over Central Arkansas Tuesday night at Bud Walton Arena.

With the win, Razorback head coach John Calipari earns career victory 879, which ties him with Dean Smith for the sixth most NCAA Division I wins.

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Knox was a key reason Arkansas led 43-34 at halftime with his 14 points and seven boards at the break. In the second half, the Razorbacks pulled away, using a 17-1 run, including a 13-0 spurt, midway through the half to secure the win.

Acuff scored 17 of his 21 points in the second half, going 7-of-9 from the field and 3-of-5 from 3-point range. He finished with six rebounds and four assists. Specifically, with Arkansas up 10 (47-37), Acuff made three-straight 3-pointers to push the lead to 56-39.

Thomas scored 17 points with six rebounds and a team-high six assists. Including the two exhibitions and the three regular-season games, Thomas leads the team in scoring, rebounds and assists.

Nick Pringle just missed a double-double with nine points and eight rebounds and Malique Ewin contributed 10 points.

Arkansas was able to out-score the Bears, 50-22, in the second half by holding UCA to 0-of-18 shooting from 3-point range. Over the last two games, Arkansas opponents are a combined 5-of-55 (9%) from beyond the arc.

Camren Hunter and Ty Robinson led UCA with 16 and 15 points, respectively.

Arkansas continues its four-game homestand on Friday versus Samford, followed by Winthrop (Nov. 18) and Jackson State (Nov. 21). All three games are set to begin at 7 pm.

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