Tolefree Scores 19 In Debut
Box Score
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Conway native Alexis Tolefree dropped in 19 points leading the University of Arkansas women’s basketball team to a 98-53 season-opening win over Northwestern State on Elementary Day in Bud Walton Arena Friday.
Tolefree’s 19 paced what is believed to be a program-record seven players in double figures. Redshirt sophomore A’Tyanna Gaulden added 16 points followed by 12 points from senior Malica Monk, 11 points each from redshirt sophomore Chelsea Dungee, sophomore Taylah Thomas and freshman Rokia Doumbia and 10 points from junior Kiara Williams.
Tolefree hit the game’s first basket with an NBA-range 3-pointer. It was one of 11 3-pointers tying an Elementary Day record for makes from distance. NSU (0-1) kept the game in range for the first five minutes but Arkansas went on a 13-5 run to end the first quarter.
Head coach Mike Neighbors again used five-player lineup changes throughout the game with all 13 players seeing action. Ten of the 13 players logged double-figure minutes with only two, Monk and Dungee, seeing more than 20 minutes of playing time.
Leading by 14 after the first quarter, Arkansas stretched the lead to 20 for the first time at the 8:20 mark of the second frame. The Razorbacks dipped below that threshold for one possession but maintained a 20+ point lead for the remainder of the contest.
Notes
• Arkansas starters: Raven Northcross-Baker, Alexis Tolefree, Malica Monk, Kiara Williams, Chelsea Dungee
• Arkansas is 23-0 in home openers and 9-1 (8-0 at home) in Elementary Day games.
• Arkansas set Elementary Day records for: Points (98), Margin (45), Attendance (5,497), Field Goal Percentage (.576), 3-Pointers Made (tied, 11), Free Throws (tied, 19), and Free Throws Attempted (tied, 33).
• The Razorbacks had top-5 Elementary Day performances in Field Goals, 3-Point Field Goals Attempted, 3-Point Field Goal Percentage, Free Throw Percentage, Personal Fouls, Assists, Turnovers and Steals.
• Arkansas used a 13-5 run in the first quarter to take the lead and the game would never be close after that.
• NSU committed 30 turnovers in the loss.
Up Next
Arkansas tackles its first road game of the season traveling to UT-Arlington Wednesday, Nov. 14, for a 7 p.m. tip. The Razorbacks return to Bud Walton Arena hosting No. 23 Arizona State Sunday, Nov. 18 at 7 p.m.
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.
