Big Test In Bud Walton On Sunday
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. –The University of Arkansas women’s basketball team returns to the court hosting the second of two consecutive games welcoming No. 4 South Carolina to Bud Walton Arena at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
The Razorbacks (13-9, 2-7 SEC) are paced by Jessica Jackson who scored in double figures for the 17th time this season against Georgia dropping in 26 points on Thursday. Jackson ranks 12th in the SEC in all games, averaging 15.1 points per game. In addition, she ranks 20th in rebounding (6.2), is tied for 11th in 3-pointers made (1.5), and is tied for 14th in offensive rebounds (2.6).
South Carolina is just the second ranked team on Arkansas’ schedule so far this season. The Razorbacks hosted No. 4 Mississippi State earlier this season and picked up three wins over ranked opponents last season – all in Bud Walton Arena.
Arkansas has seven regular season games remaining and play four of their last six contests on the road prior to the SEC Championship in Greenville, South Carolina.
The Opponent
Picked to win the SEC, South Carolina is 19-2 overall and 9-1 in SEC play. The Gamecocks saw their 12-game winning streak snapped earlier this week, falling to Tennessee 76-74 on Monday night in Columbia.
South Carolina leads the SEC in scoring offense (77.7 ppg) and ranks second in the SEC in scoring defense (55.8 ppg) and scoring margin (+21.9 ppg). The Gamecocks lead the SEC in both field-goal percentage (46.2 percent) and field-goal percentage defense (35.1 percent). They rank sixth in the league in three-point field-goal percentage (34.1 percent) and second in three-point field-goal percentage defense (26.8 percent).
Notable
• Arkansas is 28-15 in home games under head coach Jimmy Dykes. That mark includes a 9-5 record this season.
• Arkansas has shot 45 percent or better in eight games this season. Arkansas shot 45 percent or better twice all of last season (30 games) and six times all of 2014-15 (32 games). Arkansas is now 16-0 when shooting 45 percent or better under head coach Jimmy Dykes.
• Arkansas has held opponents under 30 percent shooting in six games this season: Sam Houston State (26.9), Louisiana-Monroe (22.1), Tulsa (29.7), Northwestern State (25.0), Houston Baptist (24.1) and LSU (28.8).
• Arkansas has had six different players score in double figures during the first half of games this season: Jessica Jackson (six times), Alecia Cooley (two times) Malica Monk (two times), Devin Cosper, Jailyn Mason and Keiryn Swenson.
• Arkansas has won the rebounding battle in 15 of 22 games this season, going 12-3 in those games and improving to 35-10 when winning the rebounding battle under head coach Jimmy Dykes.
Looking Ahead
Arkansas plays four of its final six regular season games on the road, traveling to Florida (Feb. 9), Missouri (Feb. 12), Tennessee (Feb. 19) and Vanderbilt (Feb. 23). Arkansas hosts No. 25 Kentucky on Feb. 16 and Auburn on Feb. 26 to close out the 2016-17 home schedule.
