Razorback sophomore Karter Knox achieved his first career double-double, posting 19 points and 10 rebounds as #21 Arkansas secured a 93-56 win over Central Arkansas at Bud Walton Arena on Tuesday night. Freshmen Darius Acuff Jr. and Meleek Thomas contributed significantly, combining for 38 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists.
The victory marked head coach John Calipari’s 879th career win, tying him with Dean Smith for sixth place in NCAA Division I history. “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.”
Knox was instrumental in the first half with 14 points and seven rebounds as Arkansas led UCA by nine at halftime. The Razorbacks extended their lead after the break with a decisive 17-1 run that included a stretch of 13 unanswered points.
Acuff scored most of his team-high 21 points in the second half, hitting three consecutive three-pointers to help widen the margin. He also collected six rebounds and four assists. Thomas finished with 17 points, six rebounds, and led the team with six assists. Over two exhibitions and three regular-season games so far this year, Thomas leads Arkansas in scoring, rebounding, and assists.
Nick Pringle added nine points and eight rebounds while Malique Ewin contributed ten points off the bench.
Defensively, Arkansas held Central Arkansas to just 22 second-half points and limited them to zero made threes on eighteen attempts after halftime. Over their last two games combined, Razorback opponents have converted only five of fifty-five shots from beyond the arc.
Central Arkansas’ Camren Hunter and Ty Robinson scored 16 and 15 points respectively.
Arkansas continues its homestand on Friday against Samford before hosting Winthrop on November 18 and Jackson State on November 21. All upcoming games are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.
Notably, this game was the first time Arkansas started four McDonald’s All-Americans: Darius Acuff Jr., D.J. Wagner, Meleek Thomas, Karter Knox along with Nick Pringle rounding out the starting lineup. According to program records, this marks their tenth all-time win against Central Arkansas; prior meetings between these teams were infrequent until recent seasons.
Coach Calipari is now undefeated in matchups against UCA’s head coach John Shulman across different programs during his career.
