12/29/25 09:15:00
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12/29 21:13 CST Freshman Meleek Thomas scores career-best 28 points as No. 18
Arkansas beats James Madison 103-74
Freshman Meleek Thomas scores career-best 28 points as No. 18 Arkansas beats
James Madison 103-74
By ERIC W. BOLIN
Associated Press
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) --- Freshman reserve Meleek Thomas scored a career-high
28 points and No. 18 Arkansas beat James Madison 103-74 on Monday night.
Thomas shot 8 of 16 from the floor and 6 of 10 from 3-point range. He scored 18
points in the first half as Arkansas (10-3) built a 20-point lead at the break
and extended its home winning streak to eight games this season.
Freshman guard Darius Acuff Jr. scored 12 of his 17 points in the first half.
Acuff and Thomas combined for 30 of Arkansas' 48 points in the opening 20
minutes. D.J. Wagner pitched in with 14 points and Malique added 11.
Bradley Douglas led James Madison (7-7) with 19 points, and Justin McBride
added 13. The Dukes fell to 1-7 in road games this season.
James Madison closed within 16 points with 10:43 left in the second half before
Arkansas went on a 15-0 run that included two 3-pointers by Thomas.
James Madison tried to keep pace and shot 12 for 32 from long distance, but
Arkansas capitalized when mistakes occurred, forcing 14 turnovers and scoring
21 points off the giveaways.
Up next
James Madison: Opens Sun Belt Conference play at Arkansas State on Saturday.
Arkansas: Hosts No. 19 Tennessee to start its Southeastern Conference season on
Saturday.
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