Preview - Arkansas @ Mississippi State

Mario Bravante February 27, 2022

INFO
Date: Sunday, Feb. 27
Time: 5 p.m. CT
Opponent: Mississippi State
Location: Humphrey Coliseum
SEC Network
LISTEN
LIVE STATS

LAST TIME OUT

Arkansas Women’s Basketball fought hard but fell in its home finale on Thursday night, as a free throw from Jenna Staiti proved to be the difference as No. 25 Georgia prevailed, 63-62. Makayla Daniels had two chances to get the lead back for the Hogs, but was whistled for an offensive foul and then turned the ball over on the game’s last possession.
The Razorbacks aren’t in this one without Daniels, though, who was magnificent down the stretch. Daniels scored a team-high 21 points on the night, and it marked her most by far since she returned from injury on Sunday. The junior guard scored 18 of her points in the second half, including nine straight in the fourth to get the Hogs back in the game.
Sasha Goforth was the only other Hog to reach double figures, going for 13 points.
The Razorbacks came out of the gates hot in hopes of ending their three-game drought, racing out to a 15-2 lead to start the game. Arkansas held that edge through the rest of the first frame and held a nine-point lead after the first 10 minutes. In the second quarter, Georgia showed some resiliency by bringing the Arkansas advantage to one going into the locker rooms.
The Bulldogs found a rhythm in the third quarter, scoring 25 points in the stanza and claiming a seven-point lead with a quarter to play. The Razorback faithful came to life in the fourth as the Hogs made a push to make a comeback, and with 27 seconds left in the game, Arkansas had the lead for the first time since the six-minute mark in the third quarter.
Daniels and Samara Spencer played some big-time minutes down the stretch, combining for 14 points and going 7-8 from the free throw line, helping get the Hogs back in front.
Up by two with 27 seconds to go, Arkansas allowed an and-one layup to Staiti, putting the Dawgs up by one. The Hogs had a couple chances in the game’s final seconds but were unable to cash in, and Arkansas lost a heartbreaker by a point.

STORYLINES

With 2022 in full swing, Arkansas is 16-12, and is 2-4 over its last six games.
Neighbors’ squad continues to hover towards the top of the NET rankings, and is 33rd currently.
Arkansas lost its fourth straight game Thursday, falling to #25 Georgia, 63-62.
The Hogs fell Tuesday in a makeup game at Ole Miss, 70-62.
The Hogs fell to then-No. 17 Florida on Feb. 17 before losing to Kentucky last Sunday.
On Feb. 13, the Razorbacks dominated Missouri on the road, 88-71.
The Hogs torched the Tigers in the second half, outscoring them 54-30.
Coach Neighbors’ team also dominated Mizzou on the glass, 49-37.
Amber Ramirez kept on going against Mizzou, dropping in 25 more points.
Samara Spencer and Jersey Wolfenbarger both enjoyed their returns to the lineup – Spencer scored a career-best 22 points, while Wolfenbarger double-doubled (12 points, 11 rebounds).
Before that, Arkansas downed Auburn at the buzzer, 68-66.
One could argue it will stand as Arkansas’ most important win of the season – the Hogs played the game without Makayla Daniels, Spencer and Wolfenbarger, three starters.

SCOUTING MISSISSIPPI STATE

This will be the second meeting between the Hogs and Dawgs, and Arkansas dominated the first matchup, 74-54.
Four Hogs reached double-figures, led by Samara Spencer’s 19-point showing.
With a win, Arkansas will clinch the eighth spot in the SEC Tournament. That paired with a Missouri loss at Florida would mean these two teams would meet again on Thursday in Nashville.
If Missouri were to beat Florida, and the Hogs were to get the sweep of the Dawgs, it would see Arkansas and Missouri square off for the third time.
If Arkansas loses and Mizzou wins, the Hogs would drop to the 10 seed.
MSU is led by Anastasia Hayes, who has scored at least 20 points in six of the last nine games and nine of the team’s 15 SEC games.
Hayes leads the team and is tied for first in the SEC, scoring in conference games at 20.7 ppg. She averages 18.7 ppg overall.
In SEC play, Hayes has shot 50% from the field and 85% from the free-throw line.
She’s also averaging 4.2 rebounds with 47 assists and 22 steals in State’s 15 conference games.

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.