Arkansas captured its first Southeastern Conference Tournament championship in 25 years Sunday afternoon, defeating Vanderbilt 86-75 inside Bridgestone Arena.
The title marks just the second SEC Tournament championship in program history and the first since the Razorbacks won the conference tournament in 2000 under Hall of Fame coach Nolan Richardson.
Sunday’s championship game remained close throughout much of the contest before Arkansas pulled away late.
Vanderbilt cut the Razorbacks’ lead to two points with 3:41 remaining when Duke Miles knocked down a jumper. Arkansas responded with a decisive 12-0 run to seal the victory.
Trevon Brazile fueled the closing surge with eight points during the run, including a pair of three-pointers, a dunk and a key blocked shot. Brazile was later named to the SEC All-Tournament Team along with teammate Darius Acuff.
Arkansas held a narrow 41-39 halftime lead after Acuff knocked down a three-pointer with four seconds remaining in the half.
The Razorbacks shot the ball extremely well from long range in the opening half, connecting on 7-of-10 attempts from beyond the arc. Vanderbilt stayed within striking distance behind efficient shooting, making 16 field goals including six three-pointers before the break.
Acuff delivered one of the standout performances of the tournament, recording his second 30-point game of the week after scoring 37 points in Arkansas’ quarterfinal win over Oklahoma.
The Razorbacks guard finished the championship game with 30 points and 11 assists, recording his sixth double-double of the season and earning SEC Tournament Most Valuable Player honors.
Billy Richmond III added 18 points for Arkansas, including 14 in the first half, while Brazile finished with 16 points and nine rebounds. DJ Wagner contributed 11 points and shot a perfect 3-for-3 from three-point range.
Arkansas set a program record for three-pointers in an SEC Tournament game with 15 made shots from long distance. The total also matched the team’s season high previously set in a win over James Madison.
Miles and Tyler Nickel each scored 19 points to lead Vanderbilt.
With the conference championship secured, Arkansas now turns its attention to the NCAA Tournament. The Razorbacks will learn their tournament destination later Sunday during the NCAA Selection Show.
