Hogs Fall To No. 7 Tennessee, 70-63
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas Women’s Basketball (10-4, 0-1) opened conference play with a 70-63 loss to No. 7 Tennessee (13-1, 1-0) on Sunday afternoon in Bud Walton Arena. The Razorbacks held a 48-45 edge after the third period, but the Lady Vols controlled the final period 25-15 to claim the victory. Arkansas’ effort in the final period was hampered with five Razorbacks fouling out of the game.
Senior guard Amber Ramirez led Arkansas with 26 points and six rebounds. She sparked a Razorback rally in the second period and nailed one of her five 3-pointers to tie the game at 57 in the final period. Ramirez made 10 field goals in addition to her 3-pointers and added one free throw.
Makayla Daniels followed with 11 points while Sasha Goforth supplied nine, just a point away from double figures after achieving that standard in the last seven consecutive games.
TURNING POINT
The Vols opened the game with an 8-0 run and Arkansas managed to close the gap to three, 20-17 by the end of the period. When the Razorbacks came within two points of Tennessee at 22-20, a 9-0 run for the Volunteers turned into a 31-20 advantage. Arkansas rallied with a 14-2 surge, with Ramirez supplying six points, to take its first lead of the game, 34-33. Tennessee then hit a pair of free throws to close out the first half with a 35-34 lead.
Tennessee had five players scoring in double figures with Tamari Key leading the squad with 17 points. The Vols outrebounded Arkansas 50-36 and converted 23 of 36 free throws. Arkansas hit 9 of 11 free throws and had a significant advantage in turnovers, 20-9, which included eight steals by the Razorbacks, but the Hogs only managed a slim edge in points off those turnovers, 14-10.
Key’s point total came from five field goals and 7 of 10 free throws. Adding 13 points each were Alexus Dye, who led Tennessee with 10 boards, and Jordan Walker, who added seven rebounds along with Key.
HOG HIGHLIGHTS
- Ramirez’s 26-point game was the 17th 20+ point game of her career.
- It also marked her season-high.
- Goforth blocked five shots, a new career-high. It was her fourth game this season with 3+ rejections.
- Samara Spencer matched her career-best on the glass, pulling down six boards.
NEXT OUT TIME
Arkansas travels to Vanderbilt, as the Hogs and Commodores are set to play on Thursday. That game is set to tip at 7:30 p.m. CT and can be watched on SEC Network.
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