Basketball (W)

Preview - Arkansas @ Arkansas State

Mario Bravante
Mario Bravante November 18, 2021

INFO
Date: Friday, Nov. 19
Time: 7 p.m. CT
Opponent: Arkansas State
Location: First National Bank Arena
TV: ESPN+

LAST TIME OUT

  • Arkansas Women’s Basketball suffered its first loss of the season, falling to perennial women’s basketball power No. 2 UConn, 95-80.
  • UConn got off to a 17-2 lead early, and though Arkansas would cut the lead back down on several occasions, the Hogs would never lead in the game.
  • Sophomore phenom Paige Bueckers paced the Huskies, going for a career-high 34 points in the game.
  • Redshirt senior guard Amber Ramirez led the Hogs in points, going for 20. Sasha Goforth chipped in with 17 points, while Erynn Barnum added 16 of her own.
  • The Huskies stormed out of the gates, scoring 17 of the game’s first 19 points. Connecticut shot 63 percent from the field in the first quarter, while Arkansas only shot 26 percent in the frame.
  • Despite that, Arkansas only trailed the No. 2 team in the nation after one by eight points.
  • The Hogs showed resilience, chipping the lead in the second quarter all the way down to three, starting the period on a 7-2 run, capped by a Makayla Daniels layup. Arkansas would get the lead back down to four at the 4:37 mark of the second period on a Samara Spencer bucket, but the Razorbacks would get no closer. UConn would finish the first half up 10, and the Hogs would end up falling by 15.
  • Ramirez tallied her first 20-point game of the young season, and the 16th such game of her career.
  • Barnum’s 16 points marked a season-high, while Goforth’s 17 were the most of her Arkansas career.
  • Barnum also pulled down eight boards, nearly double-doubling.
  • Freshman guard Samara Spencer continued to impress, scoring eight points, dishing two assists and nabbing a steal.

STORYLINES

  • After the first week of the season, Arkansas is 2-1.
  • The Hogs beat Tarleton State and UAPB in week one, before falling to No. 2 UConn on Sunday.
  • Despite the final score, Arkansas hung around with UConn all game, fighting back from a 17-2 deficit early to cut the lead down to three and four during the second period.
  • Arkansas’ offense has continued to hum along this season, as their 87 PPG is the 28th best mark in the NCAA this season.
  • Arkansas has also been a much improved team on the boards, as they are ranked 36th in the nation in total rebounds (132).
  • The Hogs also continue to take care of the ball, as their 10 turnovers per game is the eighth-fewest in the nation.
  • Versatile forward Erynn Barnum has had a stellar start to the season, showcasing her ability to do a little bit of everything.
  • She leads the team in points (14.6 PPG), rebounds (6.7 RPG) and steals (2.3) through three games.
  • Sasha Goforth has been a welcome addition, as she is second on the team in scoring (12.0).
  • Barnum and Goforth were both good against UConn – Barnum tallied 16 points and eight rebounds, while Goforth totaled 17 points, five boards and a blocked shot.
  • After playing just one week of collegiate basketball, Samara Spencer is making her mark.
  • After averaging 11.3 points, 2.7 assists and 2.0 rebounds over her first three games, Spencer was named the SEC’s Freshman of the Week.
  • Spencer became the first Hog to win the award since Makayla Daniels did so in 2019.
  • The Fort Lauderdale product started her college career with back-to-back double-figure scoring nights, dropping 12 points on Tarleton State and 14 on UAPB.
  • Against mighty UConn, Spencer showed that was no fluke – she scored eight points in just 17 minutes, providing a spark for the Hogs off the bench.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about Arkansas Women’s Basketball, follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @RazorbackWBB and on Facebook at Facebook.com/RazorbackWBB. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel, “Kickin’ It In The Neighborhood” for an inside look at the Razorback women’s basketball program and check out The Neighborhood podcasts at CoachNeighbors.com.

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