The Arkansas Razorbacks’ search for stability in SEC play continued as they fell to No. 23 Ole Miss, 73-66, in a game that showcased moments of promise but ultimately slipped away. This marks Arkansas’ second straight loss to open SEC competition, leaving the team still hunting for its first conference victory.
“Disappointed,” said Razorbacks head coach John Calipari after the game. “Not discouraged, but I’m disappointed. We had our chances, again. At one point, we were up by 10. But we let them back in the game. We foul a 3-point shooter, make other mistakes, and I’m just left asking, ‘What are we doing?’ So, I’ve got to do a better job of teaching these guys how to win.”
Momentum Shift and Ole Miss Dominance
The Razorbacks seemed poised for success early on, jumping out to a nine-point lead midway through the first half. However, Ole Miss orchestrated a decisive 31-13 run that spanned the end of the first half and the start of the second, flipping Arkansas’ lead into a 10-point deficit. The Rebels’ teamwork and execution during this stretch proved pivotal.
“They [Ole Miss] came together as a team,” said Arkansas guard Johnell Davis. “They played better together than us, and that’s why they won.”
Despite a late surge led by Adou Thiero, who scored eight consecutive points to cut the Rebels’ lead to just four with 10 minutes remaining, Arkansas couldn’t complete the comeback. Key 3-pointers from Ole Miss standouts Malik Dia and Sean Pedulla—who combined for 37 points—kept the Razorbacks at bay.
Bright Spots and Lingering Challenges
Arkansas showed improvement in rebounding, limiting Ole Miss to just six offensive rebounds despite facing a smaller lineup. Johnell Davis also rediscovered his shooting form, scoring 11 of his 15 points in the first half, including three 3-pointers. His performance helped push Arkansas to a 27-18 lead with seven minutes left in the first half.
“My team and the coaches have been on me this whole time, just staying confident,” Davis said. “[I’m] just trying to find the flow back.”
However, the Razorbacks’ inability to extend their lead to double digits allowed Ole Miss to claw back into the game. The Rebels closed the first half with a 15-6 run, erasing Arkansas’ lead and leaving the teams tied at 33 heading into halftime.
Individual Performances and Setbacks
Adou Thiero led Arkansas with 17 points, while Boogie Fland contributed 14. However, Fland struggled from the field, shooting just 5-for-20. The absence of consistent offensive production hurt the Razorbacks’ chances, as did the limited involvement of center Zvonimir Ivisic. Listed as questionable before the game, Ivisic only entered the contest with 12:32 left in the second half and played just four minutes.
Looking Ahead
The Razorbacks will face an uphill battle as they prepare to host No. 8 Florida on Saturday. The Gators are coming off a resounding 30-point victory over No. 1 Tennessee, marking the largest margin of defeat for an AP No. 1 team since 1968. Arkansas will need to find answers quickly if they hope to secure their first SEC win of the season. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. inside Bud Walton Arena and will be broadcast on ESPN.
This matchup against Florida offers the Razorbacks a chance for redemption, but they’ll need to address their late-game execution and improve their overall consistency if they hope to turn their SEC campaign around.
