Preview - Arkansas @ Missouri

Mario Bravante February 12, 2022

INFO
Date: Sunday, Feb. 13
Time: 2 p.m. CT
Opponent: Missouri
Location: Mizzou Arena
TV: SEC Network+
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LIVE STATS

LAST TIME OUT

Arkansas Women’s Basketball pulled out a huge win on Thursday night in Bud Walton Arena, downing the Auburn Tigers, 68-66.
Redshirt senior Amber Ramirez hit a layup with 0.4 seconds remaining to send the Razorback faithful into a frenzy and seal the win in a massively important comeback for the Hogs. The win snapped a two-game skid for Arkansas, and the Hogs did it without starting guards Makayla Daniels and Samara Spencer, as well as Jersey Wolfenbarger, who had started 13 straight games down low.
Ramirez was crucial for Arkansas on Thursday night, accounting for 30 of the Razorbacks’ 68 points, her first 30-point game this season. The San Antonio native was a menace on the offensive side of the ball, scoring from all areas of the floor, and she posted a very clean 5-11 clip from deep and 5-6 mark from the free throw line. She also added four rebounds and two steals to her 40-minute effort.
Arkansas struggled with the three-point shot in the first half, managing only one make out of 10 tries. That created an opening for the visiting Tigers who, behind some strong play from junior guard Honesty Scott-Grayson, showed why they were able to upset No. 4 Tennessee just a couple weeks ago.
Auburn ramped up its game in response to Arkansas’ energy, expanding the lead to 10 in the third quarter. But that is when the Hogs flipped the script, as back-to-back three-point makes by Ramirez and Elauna Eaton in the fourth quarter brought Arkansas to within two, and Sasha Goforth earned a putback to tie the game, an eight-point swing in two minutes.
The Hogs then gained their first lead of the game with just over five minutes to play after Ramirez made a pair of technical foul free throws. An acrobatic layup by Goforth followed, giving Arkansas a three-point, 61-58 lead.
In a game that was very physical down the stretch, the Hogs and Tigers duked it out to the end. The two teams exchanged the lead four times in the final two minutes of play, but Ramirez’s layup was the final blow that left Arkansas victorious in an instant classic.
Ramirez garnered the offensive spotlight with a ruthless scoring onslaught. Her 30 points were a season-high and she matched her season best in field goals made (10) and three-pointers made (5).

STORYLINES

With 2022 in full swing, Arkansas is 15-8, and has won four of its last six games.
Neighbors’ squad continues to hover towards the top of the NET rankings, and is 25th currently.
Most recently, the Razorbacks pulled out a 68-66 win over Auburn.
One could argue it will stand as Arkansas’ most important win of the season – the Hogs played the game without Makayla Daniels, Samara Spencer and Jersey Wolfenbarger, three starters.
Amber Ramirez poured in 30 points, including the winning floater with 0.4 seconds left.
Sasha Goforth also had a nice rebound game, going for 16 points on 6-10 shooting.
The game snapped a two-game skid, as the Hogs had lost to A&M and Tennessee on the road.
On Jan. 27, the Hogs got their signature win of the season so far, dominating #12 LSU at Bud Walton Arena, 90-76. Ramirez was great in that game, too, dropping in 25 points.
Both Daniels and Spencer dropped in 20 points against the Tigers.
It was the Hogs’ first ranked win since Feb. 11 of 2021, when they downed #24 Mississippi State.
It was Arkansas’ second straight year with a win over a ranked Kim Mulkey ranked team, as the Hogs took down #4 Baylor last season, 83-78.
Arkansas beat Mizzou the last time the two teams played, 83-73.
Rylee Langerman stole the show, hitting 5-6 from deep on her way to a career-best 17 points.
Amber Ramirez led the way in the first matchup, giving Arkansas 21 points.

SCOUTING MIZZOU

Arkansas and Missouri will clash for the second time this season. The Hogs took the first matchup in Fayetteville, 83-73.
Arkansas has dominated the matchup in recent years, as Coach Neighbors’ Hogs have won the last five meetings.
However, before that, it had been all Mizzou – the Tigers won seven straight before the Razorbacks reeled off five straight.
Aijha Blackwell continues to dominate for the Tigers – she is averaging 15.7 PPG and 13.1 RPG.
She has double-doubled a whopping 18 times in 23 games, the second most double-doubles in the NCAA.
Arkansas was effective against her the last time the teams met, though, holding her to just 3-12 shooting from the field.
Blackwell has plenty of help, though, and that starts with Hayley Frank.
Frank is averaging 14.9 PPG, nipping at Blackwell’s heels. She was great against Arkansas in the most recent meeting, pouring in a game-high 22 points.
Lauren Hansen is also averaging double-figures this season, chipping in 12.1 PPG.

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.