SEC/TOP 25 WOMEN: Peak not enough for UA women

Keira Peak’s big night couldn’t knock Oklahoma off balance Friday night.

Nicole Griffin scored a career-high 19 points and three other Sooners had at least 10 points as No. 13 Oklahoma held off a second-half rally by Arkansas to defeat the Razorbacks 73-70 at the Marriott Waikiki Beach Classic in Honolulu.

Peak scored a career-high 30 points, but the Razorbacks (3-1) couldn’t match the Sooners’ offensive balance. Junior guard Morgan Hook of Rogers had 14 points and a team-high five assists for Oklahoma, while senior guard Whitney Hand added 14 points and freshman Maddie Manning had 10.

Oklahoma (3-1) took control in the first half with a 15-0 run and went into halftime leading 26-19, but Peak and sophomore guard Calli Berna, who finished with 16 points, sparked the Razorbacks’ comeback in the second half. No other Arkansas player had more than eight points in the game.

“We battled back and fought hard but just came up a bit short,” Arkansas Coach Tom Collen said. “I’m so proud of the way this team battled back and stayed together, especially down the stretch.”

Peak finished 12 of 19 from the field, including 4 threepointers, and was 2 of 2 from the free-throw line, but the rest of Razorbacks struggled offensively, especially in the first half. Arkansas shot just 23 percent (8 of 35) from the field in the first half and finished 23 of 66 (35 percent) for the game. The Razorbacksmade 5 of 28 (17.9 percent) three-point attempts, including just 1 of 16 (6.3 percent) in the opening half.

“This is a tough game to drop but it is a great learningexperience,” Collen said. “We have to be more balanced and take care of the ball down the stretch.”

Arkansas trailed 26-19 at the break, but Berna scored off a steal and a layup to ignite Arkansas’ comeback.

Peak followed with a short jumper before Berna was fouled and made both free throws to pull Arkansas within 28-25.

Arkansas eventually tied the game at 28-28 with 12:54 to play and managed to grab the lead a couple of times before the Sooners’ inside game begane to wear down the Razorbacks.

Arkansas was within 61-60 with less than three minutes to play, but senior post player Sarah Watkins fouled out and Arkansas was never able to regain the lead.

Oklahoma outrebounded Arkansas 40-32, and the Razorbacks gave up 42 points in the paint.

Arkansas plays tournament host Hawaii at 4 p.m. today.

NO. 9 KENTUCKY 73, MOREHEAD ST. 37

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Samarie Walker had 15 points and 13 rebounds, and No. 9 Kentucky outrebounded Morehead State 63-21 in a victory.

The Wildcats (3-1) had a 34-7 advantage on the offensive glass against the Eagles (1-4).

Sports, Pages 28 on 11/24/2012

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