Shocking College Basketball Rally Stuns Gonzaga, 76-72

Image Source: Arkansas Razorbacks

College basketball delivered an early statement in Fayetteville on Saturday, as the Arkansas Razorbacks rallied from a 10-point deficit to defeat the Gonzaga Bulldogs 76-72 in an exhibition matchup at Bud Walton Arena. The No. 12/13 Razorbacks showed poise late, using a decisive second-half surge and a clutch shot from freshman Davion Thompson to secure the victory.

Arkansas trailed 36-26 during the first half before closing the period with a 9-0 run. The Razorbacks then opened the second half with another 9-0 burst, turning a difficult start into a commanding advantage. Across the two stretches, Arkansas outscored Gonzaga 24-3 over nearly nine minutes.

College Basketball Thriller Turns on Arkansas’ Late Surge

The Razorbacks built their largest lead at 66-55 with 6:46 remaining, but Gonzaga refused to fade. The Bulldogs responded with an 11-2 run, cutting the margin to 68-66 with 2:59 left and setting up a tense finish.

Arkansas answered with a layup from Miikka Muurinen, but Gonzaga’s Braden Huff quickly pulled the Bulldogs within two again. Neither team scored for the next 1:16. With the shot clock under five seconds and Arkansas holding a narrow lead, Thompson stepped forward.

The freshman guard drilled a step-back 3-pointer from the top of the key with just over a minute remaining, pushing Arkansas ahead 73-68. The shot gave the Razorbacks the breathing room they needed. Billy Richmond III later went 1-of-2 at the free-throw line with four seconds left to seal the 76-72 result.

Richmond Leads Balanced Razorbacks Attack

Richmond was Arkansas’ leading scorer, finishing with 17 points, seven rebounds and five assists. He scored 12 of those points in the second half, helping the Razorbacks withstand Gonzaga’s late push.

Thompson added 12 points, while JJ Andrews and Muurinen each contributed 10. Andrews narrowly missed a double-double after collecting nine rebounds, while Cooper Bowser finished with nine points and a team-high 10 rebounds.

For Gonzaga, Huff produced an impressive 19-point, 11-rebound performance. He scored 15 points in the second half and kept the Bulldogs within striking distance throughout the final period.

• Billy Richmond III: 17 points, seven rebounds and five assists
• Davion Thompson: 12 points, including the late step-back 3-pointer
• JJ Andrews: 10 points and nine rebounds
• Miikka Muurinen: 10 points
• Cooper Bowser: nine points and 10 rebounds
• Braden Huff: 19 points and 11 rebounds for Gonzaga

Razorbacks Show Improved Second-Half Execution

Arkansas’ first half featured both strong shooting and costly mistakes. The Razorbacks shot 36.4 percent from the field but connected on 5-of-10 attempts from 3-point range. Gonzaga struggled from long distance, making only 2-of-14 attempts.

The Bulldogs held a 25-20 rebounding edge at halftime, while Arkansas committed 10 turnovers in the opening period. The Razorbacks made a noticeable adjustment after the break, committing only two turnovers and recording eight assists in the second half.

That improved ball security helped Arkansas maintain control during its most important stretch. The Razorbacks also received key contributions from Abdou Toure, who led the team with eight first-half points, and Jeremiah Wilkinson, who added seven before halftime.

The victory continued Arkansas’ strong home exhibition record. The Razorbacks improved to 77-11 all-time in exhibition games and 68-9 at home. Saturday’s result also extended the program’s home exhibition winning streak to 41 games.

Memphis Next on Arkansas’ Exhibition Schedule

Arkansas will return to Bud Walton Arena on Wednesday, October 28, for its second exhibition contest. The Memphis Tigers will visit Fayetteville, with tipoff scheduled for 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast on SEC Network+.

While exhibition results do not count toward the regular-season record, the win over a ranked Gonzaga team offered valuable insight into Arkansas’ potential. The Razorbacks demonstrated resilience, defensive pressure and late-game composure against one of the nation’s most respected programs.

For head coach John Calipari and his roster, the next priority will be reducing turnovers and improving consistency over the full 40 minutes. Still, the comeback provided an encouraging early glimpse at a team capable of answering pressure with timely scoring and confident execution.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the final score between Arkansas and Gonzaga?

Arkansas defeated Gonzaga 76-72 in an exhibition game at Bud Walton Arena on October 24, 2026.

Who led Arkansas in scoring?

Billy Richmond III led the Razorbacks with 17 points. He also recorded seven rebounds and five assists.

Who hit the decisive shot for Arkansas?

Freshman Davion Thompson hit a step-back 3-pointer from the top of the key with just over a minute remaining.

When does Arkansas play its next exhibition game?

Arkansas hosts Memphis on Wednesday, October 28. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m., with coverage on SEC Network+.