The Arkansas Razorbacks put on a show at Bud Walton Arena, dismantling the South Carolina Gamecocks 108-74 in a non-conference matchup. Meleek Thomas led the charge for Arkansas, scoring 21 points to pace a balanced attack that saw three players reach double figures. Darius Acuff Jr. added 18 points and 13 assists, while Malique Ewin chipped in with 18 points of his own.
Meechie Johnson did his best to keep South Carolina in the game, scoring 29 points and dishing out 6 assists, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Razorbacks' onslaught. Arkansas shot out of the gates, taking a 50-38 lead into halftime and never looking back. The Razorbacks' offense was clicking on all cylinders, with all five starters scoring at least 8 points.
The second half was more of the same, as Arkansas continued to push the pace and exploit South Carolina's defense. The Razorbacks outscored the Gamecocks 58-36 in the final 20 minutes, with Acuff Jr. and Ewin doing much of the damage. Arkansas's 108 points were a season high, and the 34-point margin of victory was a reflection of the team's dominance.
Despite the lopsided score, Johnson's performance was a bright spot for South Carolina. The guard was nearly unstoppable at times, using his quickness and agility to get into the lane and finish at the rim. However, he didn't get much help from his teammates, and the Gamecocks were ultimately unable to keep up with Arkansas's high-powered offense.
The win improves Arkansas's record to 16-5 on the season, and the Razorbacks want to build on this momentum as they head into the heart of their conference schedule. For South Carolina, the loss drops them to 11-9, and they must regroup and refocus if they hope to make a push for the postseason.
This game was a Quadrant 3 win for Arkansas, which will help to bolster their resume as they pursue an NCAA Tournament bid. On the other hand, the loss was a Quadrant 1 defeat for South Carolina, which will likely hurt their chances of earning an at-large bid. As it stands, Arkansas's strong performance and impressive record have them well-positioned for a tournament run, while South Carolina must string together some wins to get back into the conversation. The Razorbacks' dominant win will certainly look good on their resume, and they want to continue to build on this momentum as the season wears on.