Freshman Meleek Thomas scores career-best 28 points as No. 18 Arkansas beats James Madison 103-74

Advertisement

Advertise with us

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.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Monthly Digital Subscription

$1 per week for 24 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*Billed as $4.00 plus GST every four weeks. After 24 weeks, price increases to the regular rate of $19.95 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

Monthly Digital Subscription

$4.99/week*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*Billed as $19.95 plus GST every four weeks. Cancel any time.

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles
Start now

No thanks

*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $16.99 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $23.99 plus GST every four weeks.

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.

Arkansas guard Meleek Thomas (1) drives past James Madison forward Preston Fowler (13) during an NCAA college basketball game Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Arkansas guard Meleek Thomas (1) drives past James Madison forward Preston Fowler (13) during an NCAA college basketball game Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)

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.

___

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

Report Error Submit a Tip

Uncategorized

LOAD MORE