Crawford Leads Arkansas to Victory Over No. 6 Louisville
In a thrilling college basketball matchup, the Arkansas Razorbacks claimed a decisive victory over the No. 6 ranked Louisville Cardinals, winning 89-80 on Wednesday night at Bud Walton Arena. This marked a significant win for Arkansas, which faced a competitive Louisville team that arrived with high expectations.
Crawford Leads Arkansas to Victory
During the game, Arkansas maintained control throughout, never trailing and holding a lead as large as 20 points. At halftime, they were ahead 47-29, with Louisville struggling to find their rhythm. The Cardinals managed to hit only eight of their 37 three-point attempts, a statistic that ultimately hindered their chances for a comeback.
Key Performance Highlights
- Darius Acuff Jr. stood out with 10 assists, facilitating Arkansas’s scoring opportunities.
- Trevon Brazile contributed significantly with 21 points, most of which came in the first half.
- Mikel Brown Jr. scored 22 points, while Ryan Conwell added 15 points.
- Sananda Fru had an efficient outing, scoring 14 points on 7-for-9 shooting.
Despite Louisville’s late surge in the second half, which narrowed the deficit to five points with just under three minutes left, Arkansas quickly responded by scoring six consecutive points to secure their victory. The Cardinals struggled with their shooting, significantly impacting their game plan and overall performance.
Statistical Breakdown
| Team | Points in the Paint | Second-Chance Points | Free Throws | Total Rebounds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | 34 | 27 | 27 | 46 |
| Louisville | 42 | 9 | 18 | 36 |
This win marked John Calipari’s first regular-season victory over a Top 10 team since his arrival at Arkansas, a significant milestone for the coach. As the Razorbacks look forward to upcoming challenges, the loss serves as a wake-up call for Louisville. They will need to regroup quickly, as they prepare to face No. 17 Indiana this Saturday in Indianapolis.
