Hogs erase early deficit to win Musick's debut

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – A 15-point early deficit was just a speed bump for Arkansas in winning new head coach Kelsi Musick’s debut 93-81 win over Louisiana Tech in the season opener at Bud Walton Arena on Tuesday night.

The Razorbacks opened the Musick era ice cold and trailed 17-2 in the early moments of the first quarter, making just 3-of-15 (20.0%) shots in the first quarter while scoring just 10 points. Oral Roberts transfer Taleyah Jones, however, sparked a big second quarter with 12 of the team’s 31 points as the home team rallied for a 41-40 halftime lead.

The two teams traded shots the majority of the third quarter with neither team able to make a sustained run until Arkansas freshman Bonnie Deas and Jones sank five free throws to end the quarter and push the lead to seven points. Louisiana Tech cut the deficit to two points with a Jorda Marshall jumper to make it 74-72 with 5:03 remaining.

The final five minutes were all Hogs with a 12-2 run jumpstarting the winning rally. The lead quickly jumped to 12 points thanks to a flurry from Harmonie Ware and Jones before Deas capped the run with a 3-pointer with 2:07 on the clock.

Deas led all scorers with 25 in her collegiate debut. The Australian went 4-of-9 from 3-point range on the night with 21 of her 25 coming in the second half. Jones scored 20 and added 12 rebounds with 6 assists. Deas has the most points by an Arkansas freshman in her debut since at least 2002-03, per Stathead.

Nine Razorbacks scored with five reaching double digits. Ware, Ashly Chlarson and Emily Robinson all added 11 points apiece with Chlarson also grabbing 11 boards.

Marshall scored 20 points to lead the Lady Techsters with Jianna Morris chipping in 19 in the loss.

Arkansas returns to action on Friday morning for the program’s annual Elementary Day game. The Hogs and UAPB will tip off at 10:30 a.m. on SEC Network+.

For more information on Arkansas women’s basketball, follow @RazorbackWBB on social media.