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Miami falters down the stretch losing to Arkansas in ACC/SEC Challenge

Arkansas closed the game on a 10-2 run and gave Miami its fifth straight loss during the first night of the ACC/SEC Challenge on Tuesday night.

By Alan Rubenstein

Dec 3, 2024; Coral Gables, Florida, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks guard Boogie Fland (2) shoots the basketball against the Miami Hurricanes during the first half at Watsco Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Dec 3, 2024; Coral Gables, Florida, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks guard Boogie Fland (2) shoots the basketball against the Miami Hurricanes during the first half at Watsco Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images / Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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Miami led for 36:15 versus Arkansas on Tuesday night, but a 10-2 Razorbacks run to finish the game resulted in a 76-73 win at the Watsco Center in the ACC/SEC Challenge. Miami lost its fifth straight game. Arkansas led for 1:47 the entire game and closed by making six of their final eight shots and Miami made one of its last seven.

Miami took its biggest lead of the game at 26-15 with 7:33 remaining in the first half. Matthew Cleveland broke out of his slump with 11 of his 15 points in the first half. Nijel Pack returned after missing the loss to Charleston Southern on Saturday and led all scorers with 22 points.

Jalen Blackmon was the only other Miami scorer in double-figures with 12 points. McDonald's All-American freshman Boogie Fland led Arkansas with 18 points on 6-13 from the floor, 4-9 three-point attempts, six assists and three rebounds. Four other Razorbacks finished in double-figures.

Three-point shooting and defense beyond the arc continued to plague Miami. Arkansas made 11 of its 23 three-point field goals and Miami made nine for 29. Both teams shot 48 percent from the floor, Arkansas was 5-9 from the free-throw line and Miami was 6-8. The game was almost completely even.

Despite the late run by Arkansas, Blackmon had a chance to tie the game at the buzzer from the right wing but shot an airball. Arkansas did not take its first lead until Fland made a three with 1:47 remaining. Fland scored the last seven points for Arkansas to complete the Razorbacks' comeback.

Miami hosts Clemson in the first ACC game this season hoping to end a five-game losing streak after starting the season 3-0. Number three Tennessee awaits in the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden on December 10. Without a win versus Clemson, the losing streak will be expected to reach seven games.

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