Smith Leads Hogs in First Win of Season

FAYETTEVILLE – Arkansas women’s basketball (1-1) picked up its first win of the season after taking down East Texas A&M (1-1), 84-65, in front of 12,267 fans at Bud Walton Arena, the second-largest crowd in program history. The game also played host to the Hogs’ annual Elementary Day game with almost 9,000 local students in attendance.

The Razorbacks scored on their opening possession with a layup for forward Vera Ojenuwa. After two 7-0 runs in the opening five minutes, Arkansas settled in with an early 17-5 lead and never trailed for the rest of the day.

JUCO transfer Kiki Smith was key to the hot start, shooting 3-3 with two three-pointers. Smith paced the Hogs with 22 points and shot 89% from the field and 2-3 from the charity stripe. The Topeka, Kansas native stayed perfect until missing a heat check three with 6:30 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Arkansas native Jenna Lawrence established herself down low with her second straight double-double (10 pts, 10 rebs), the second of her career.

The Razorbacks finished the day with four players in double figures: Kiki Smith (22), Izzy Higginbottom (19), Vera Ojenuwa (16) and Jenna Lawrence (10).

Game Notes

• Arkansas took a 2-0 lead after Vera Ojenuwa won the tip and drove for a layup.
• After opening the night shooting 10-19 in the first quarter, the Hogs finished 27-57 (47.4%) from the field
• The Razorbacks outrebounded the Lions, 46-40, including a 28-21 advantage on the glass in the first two frames
• Arkansas took advantage at the free-throw line and went 21-26 (80.8%) and held the lions to just nine attempts
• Senior guard Izzy Higginbottom drained her first three of the season after only having three attempts through the first two games
• Freshman Jada Bates netted a three for the second straight game
• Freshman and Malta native Danika Galea scored her first collegiate points with four free throws in as many attempts.
• The Hogs went into the break ahead 41-30 and got up as high as 26 points near the end of the game
• Mike Neighbors is now 139-93 as Arkansas’ head coach

Up Next

The Razorbacks will take a trip to the capital city on Monday, Nov. 11, and face Little Rock (1-0). Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. and the game will be streamed on ESPN+.

For more information on Arkansas women’s basketball, follow @RazorbackWBB on social media.