No. 21 Arkansas narrowly escaped an upset by defeating Winthrop 84-83 in a game marred by a late scuffle that resulted in four players being ejected. The Razorbacks mounted a comeback in the final minutes to secure the victory.
The game took place on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Arkansas, ranked No. 21, was heavily favored by 23 points, but Winthrop put up a strong fight, keeping the score close throughout. Neither team led by more than eight points at any stage, highlighting the competitive nature of the contest.
With just over a minute left, Winthrop held a five-point lead, but Arkansas mounted a furious comeback. Meleek Thomas, who scored a career-high 26 points, made key plays down the stretch, including a steal that led to the game-winning basket. His performance was crucial in overcoming Winthrop’s persistent challenge.
With 11.9 seconds remaining, Nick Pringle scored a layup to give Arkansas a one-point lead. Immediately after the basket, Pringle and Winthrop’s Logan Duncomb became entangled, leading to a physical altercation where Pringle threw Duncomb to the floor. The incident occurred as Duncomb caught the ball after it went through the net, and the two players fell to the court together.
The scuffle prompted players from both benches to rush onto the court, resulting in offsetting technical fouls for Pringle and Duncomb. Additionally, four players—two from Arkansas and two from Winthrop—were ejected for leaving the bench area during the altercation. Duncomb’s technical foul was his fifth of the game, forcing him to foul out.
After the game, Pringle apologized to his teammates, acknowledging that his reaction was inappropriate and could have cost the team in a crucial moment. He emphasized the need for smarter decision-making in high-stakes situations. The ejections and technical fouls added a layer of controversy to an already intense game.
On the ensuing possession, Winthrop’s Daylen Berry attempted a potential game-winning three-pointer, but Thomas played tight defense, forcing a miss and securing the victory for Arkansas. The missed shot allowed the Razorbacks to hold on for the win, avoiding what would have been a significant upset.
Winthrop’s strong performance was fueled by excellent three-point shooting, going 15-for-31 from beyond the arc, with Kareem Rozier leading the way with 23 points, including seven three-pointers. Kody Clouet added 16 points, with 12 coming from three-point range. Their shooting kept them in the game until the very end.
The Razorbacks improved to 4-1 on the season and will host Jackson State next, while Winthrop falls to 2-3 and faces Jackson State on the road. The game highlighted Arkansas’ resilience but also raised concerns about discipline in high-pressure situations, which could be a focus for the team moving forward.
