Michigan State holds off Razorbacks behind inside dominance

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Michigan State held off Arkansas 69-66 on Saturday night at the Breslin Center, using its inside presence and rebounding edge to remain unbeaten early in the season.

Freshman guards Darius Acuff Jr. and Meleek Thomas each scored 16 points for the Razorbacks, who fell to 1-1 under Razorbacks’ coach John Calipari.

The loss came in Arkansas’ first regular season road game of the 2025-26 season.

Arkansas led 39-36 at halftime after shooting 39 percent from the field and controlling the tempo for much of the first half. The Razorbacks built an early 6-2 advantage before Michigan State answered with a 12-2 run, sparked by transition play and second-chance points.

A 7-2 burst from Wagner helped Arkansas climb back, and a layup by Billy Richmond III put the Razorbacks back in front. Michigan State continued to attack inside, finishing the half with a 26-16 advantage in points in the paint.

Jaxon Kohler’s tip-in before the horn brought the Spartans within three at the break.

Both teams struggled from the perimeter throughout the night. Arkansas went 7 of 28 from three-point range, while Michigan State finished 1 of 14.

The Spartans compensated with physical rebounding and interior scoring, led by Kohler and forward Xavier Carr.

Spartans control the paint

Foul trouble began to impact both sides early in the second half. Trevon Brazile picked up his third personal for Arkansas, and Carr committed his fourth just minutes later.

Michigan State’s depth up front, however, allowed it to maintain control around the rim.

The Spartans finished with a 45-33 rebounding advantage and outscored Arkansas 46-28 in the paint.

Cam Ward led Michigan State with 18 points and 10 rebounds, while Carr added 15 points and seven boards. Kohler contributed 10 points and seven rebounds.

Arkansas stayed close behind its freshman guards. Thomas hit a three-pointer midway through the half, and Acuff scored on a drive that cut the deficit to two.

Later, a dunk by Malique Ewin, followed by a Thomas assist to Nick Pringle, pulled the Razorbacks within one with just under three minutes to play.

Michigan State responded with late free throws to regain control. Carson Cooper split a pair at the line, then blocked Acuff’s layup on the next possession.

Jeremy Fears Jr. sank two free throws with 43 seconds remaining to push the lead to three. Arkansas missed two three-point attempts in the closing seconds.

The Razorbacks shot 22 of 56 overall (39 percent) and 15 of 19 from the free-throw line. Michigan State went 25 of 61 (41 percent) and made 18 of 24 free throws. The Spartans led for the final 1:01 of the game.

Coaches reflect on tight finish

Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said he liked his team’s poise after a sluggish start.

“We can’t afford to get to these really slow starts against teams like Arkansas,” Izzo said. “That’s not Michigan State’s way.”

Calipari, who has known Izzo for decades, said earlier in the week he never enjoys facing friends on the sideline.

“If we win, I’ll be excited, but I’ll feel bad for him,” Calipari said before the trip to East Lansing.

The teams traded leads 12 times, and neither side led by more than seven points after halftime. Acuff and Thomas combined for 32 points but went 10 of 31 from the field. Pringle added nine points and six rebounds, while Brazile finished with seven points in limited minutes due to foul trouble.

Michigan State’s size and rebounding ultimately proved the difference. The Spartans controlled the boards 27-15 in the second half and scored 14 second-chance points compared to Arkansas’ seven.

The Razorbacks return home next week to face Central Arkansas before continuing their nonconference schedule. Michigan State hosts Villanova on Tuesday.

Key takeaways:

• Darius Acuff Jr. and Meleek Thomas led Arkansas with 16 points each in their first road test.

• Michigan State controlled the paint and rebounding, finishing with a 45-33 edge on the glass.

• Late free throws and defense sealed the Spartans’ 69-66 victory at home.