Late Surge Not Enough At Florida
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Three players scored in double figures paced by senior Jessica Jackson with a game-high 17 but fourth quarter heroics by the Florida Gators lifted them to the 57-53 Southeastern Conference win in the O’Connell Center on Thursday.
Arkansas (13-11, 2-9 SEC) grabbed 16 steals, one shy of the program’s single-game record in a conference game and forced a season-best 25 turnovers but the Gators (12-12, 3-8 SEC) hung on for win.
Both teams were cold to begin the game with the Gators finally getting the first basket. The teams combined going 1-for-12 for almost four minutes to start the game. Monk broke up the scoring lapse for Arkansas with a jumper at the 5:26 mark of the first quarter snapping an 0-for-7 start for the Razorbacks.
Sophomore Malica Monk recorded four consecutive steals helping Arkansas finish with a 6-0 run to close the first half with the Razorbacks down two, 23-21, in what was a close game for 40 minutes. The run was part of a 16-7 second quarter for the Razorbacks as they caught back up after a slow start to the game.
The Gators finished the half with six turnovers and no points in the final 2:26 while Arkansas shot 44% on 7-for-16 shooting.
Arkansas started the third quarter where they left off – with a steal from Monk and went on a 12-0 run tying the game at 30-all with 6:50 to go. The Gators rallied, finishing the frame on a 9-3 run to lead by one, 39-38, heading into the final quarter.
Arkansas allowed Florida an 11-0 run to start the final frame but still had several chances at the end of the game. Down four with :44 seconds to go, Arkansas had to foul three times to send the Gators to the line. Florida converted the bonus shots to hang on for the win.
Key Stat – 4 consecutive
Malica Monk grabbed four consecutive steals leading to a 6-0 run to close the second quarter. Monk stole and scored twice and dished once to Devin Cosper as the clock ran out in the frame.
Key Run I – 12-0 in the third quarter
Arkansas went on a 12-0 run in just over two minutes in the third quarter sprinting out to a 35-30 lead with 5:34 to go in the quarter. The Razorbacks doubled up the Gators, 14-7, at that point of the period behind five points from Jessica Jackson and four from Jailyn Mason.
Notable
• Arkansas starters: Jessica Jackson, Malica Monk, Kiara Williams, Jailyn Mason, Bailey Zimmerman
• Arkansas won the jump ball – 10-14 in jump balls this year.
• Arkansas had 11 steals in the first half -one shy of the season-best 12 set three times this year – all in nonconference play.
• The Razorbacks finished with 16 steals – one less than the school record for an SEC game.
• The Razorbacks forced 25 turnovers – the fifth time this year to be 20+ and the first time in an SEC game.
• Jessica Jackson has scored in double figures in 18 games this season.
Up Next
Arkansas plays four of its final six regular-season games on the road, remaining away from Bud Walton Arena with a trip to Missouri (Feb. 12). The Razorbacks return home to face No. 25 Kentucky on Thursday, Feb. 16. Arkansas hosts Auburn for its final home game and final regular-season game on Sunday, Feb. 26.
For tickets call the Razorback Ticket Center at 800-982-HOGS (4647) or 479-575-5151.
For more information on Arkansas women’s basketball, follow @RazorbackWBB on Twitter.
