EAST LANSING, Mich. — Freshman Cam Ward had 18 factors and 10 rebounds, Coen Carr scored 15 factors and had seven rebounds and No. 22 Michigan State beat No. 14 Arkansas 69-66 on Saturday night time in a matchup of Corridor of Fame coaches.
The Spartans (2-0) grabbed 19 offensive rebounds and transformed them into 18 factors, a staple of Tom Izzo’s program for 31 seasons.
John Calipari has extremely touted freshmen Darius Acuff Jr. and Meleek Thomas in his second season with the Razorbacks (1-1), as he usually did at Kentucky, Memphis and Massachusetts.
Acuff, who’s from Detroit, had 16 factors on 5 of 16 capturing and 6 assists. Thomas, who’s from Pittsburgh, scored 16 on 5 of 15 capturing.
Arkansas went on an 8-0 run to drag right into a 66-all tie with 1:41 left.
Carson Cooper ended Michigan State’s scoring drought with a go-ahead free throw and grabbed a defensive rebound on the following possession. After a scoreless first half with two fouls, the 6-foot-11 senior had 9 factors within the second half.
Jeremy Fears Jr. took benefit of Acuff’s inexperience, drawing a foul on a 3-point shot with 43.2 seconds left and making two free throws for a three-point lead.
Thomas missed a 3-pointer with 27 seconds to go, and after Michigan State freshman Jordan Scott missed two free throws, Acuff missed a 3-pointer with seven seconds left.
The Razorbacks retained possession, and after Izzo referred to as timeout, Trevon Brazile shot an air ball on a 3-pointer.
D.J. Wagner scored eight of his 13 factors within the first half, serving to Arkansas lead 39-36 within the intently contested recreation.