Elevate your local knowledge

Sign up for the iNFOnews newsletter today!

Select Region

Selecting your primary region ensures you get the stories that matter to you first.

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 | iNFOnews.ca
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)

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.

___

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

Freshman Meleek Thomas scores career-best 28 points as No. 18 Arkansas beats James Madison 103-74 | iNFOnews.ca
Arkansas guard Meleek Thomas pulls up to shoot a 3-point basket against James Madison during an NCAA college basketball game Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Freshman Meleek Thomas scores career-best 28 points as No. 18 Arkansas beats James Madison 103-74 | iNFOnews.ca
Arkansas forward Trevon Brazile goes up to dunk the ball on a fast break against James Madison during an NCAA college basketball game Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Freshman Meleek Thomas scores career-best 28 points as No. 18 Arkansas beats James Madison 103-74 | iNFOnews.ca
James Madison forward Eddie Ricks III (3) drives past Arkansas forward Trevon Brazile (7) during an NCAA college basketball game Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Freshman Meleek Thomas scores career-best 28 points as No. 18 Arkansas beats James Madison 103-74 | iNFOnews.ca
Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr. (5) tries to drive past James Madison guard Paul Jones III (1) during an NCAA college basketball game Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

Create a free account

The Associated Press

Eric W. Bolin

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

Related Articles