Razorbacks Hold Off Wildcats, 83-73 - Abilene Christian Athletics

Thursday, December 21

Fayetteville, AR

6 p.m.

Abilene Christian

5-7,0-2WAC

Arkansas

8-4,0-0SEC

Team	1	2	F
Abilene Christian	35	38	73
Arkansas	28	55	83

Photo by: Natalie Wright

12/21/2023 8:16:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

By: Ray Fink

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas used a 16-2 second-half run to take the lead for good and held off Abilene Christian 83-73 on Thursday.

The Wildcats flexed defensively in the first half and held the Razorbacks to 28 first-half points and led 35-28 at halftime. The Cats forced 12 of their 17 turnovers in the first half.

ACU got a basket off of an Airion Simmons drive for a 39-30 lead with 19:15 remaining in the game.

Arkansas adjusted to the ACU defense with a smaller lineup in the second half and overtook ACU with a 17-4 combined run for a 47-43 lead less than five minutes after falling behind by nine.

The Cats tied the game 47-47 on a Leonardo Bettiol three-point play with 13:26 remaining but Arkansas took the lead for good with an 8-0 run.

Ali Abdou Dibba led the Wildcats with 18 points while Bettiol came off of the bench for 14 points and a team-best eight rebounds. Kavion McClain had 10 points and shared team-high assists honors at five with Simmons, who finished with seven points. Hunter Jack Madden had eight points and six rebounds.

The Wildcats came up with 10 steals for the game, led by Immanuel Allen and Cameron Steele with two apiece.

ACU returns to action on Dec. 30 at Western Kentucky before returning to WAC action on Jan. 6 at home against UTRGV.