Arkansas rebounds in big way

Arkansas' Aaliyah Wilson drives downcourt while Northwestern State's Beatrice Attura defends Sunday Dec. 18, 2016 at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville.
Arkansas' Aaliyah Wilson drives downcourt while Northwestern State's Beatrice Attura defends Sunday Dec. 18, 2016 at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE --Arkansas had to wait a week to play again after losing for the first time, but the Razorbacks bounced back resolutely.

The Razorbacks jumped to a 17-4 lead and never looked back en route to a 65-36 victory Sunday over Northwestern (La.) State at Walton Arena.

Women’s College Basketball

Arkansas 65, Northwestern (La.) State 36

Northwestern State^7^6^14^9^—^36

Arkansas^23^18^16^8^—^65

Northwestern State (5-4): Abboud 11, Attura 11, Brown 4, Thomas 4, Miller 2, Scott 2, Youngblood 2.

Arkansas (10-1): Jackson 23, Swenson 11, Csoper 9, Mason 7, Cooley 7, Zimmerman 6, Monks 2.

3-point FG — Northwestern State 2-13 (Attura 2), Arkansas 6-18 (Jackson 3). Assists — Northwestern State 9 (Brown 3), Arkansas 18 (Wilson 5). Steals — Northwestern State 10 (Abboud, Attura, Youngblood 2 each), Arkansas 7 (Mason 3). Blocked shots — Northwestern State 1 (Bell 1), Arkansas 5 (Cooley 2). Turnovers — Northwestern State 19 (Attura (5), Arkansas 17 (Mason 4).

Technical Fouls: None. Fouled out: None. Officials: Denise Brooks, Missy Brooks, Kevin Pethtel. Attendance: 621.

Arkansas (10-1) didn't have much trouble with the Lady Demons on the court, but starting guard Malica Monk and reserve Aaliyah Wilson both left the game with injuries and did not return.

Arkansas led 41-13 at the half, but outscored the Lady Demons by one point in the final two quarters.

Razorbacks Coach Jimmy Dykes said losing two players to injury and being down to seven healthy bodies had something to do with the troubles in the second half

"I thought we were a really good basketball team in the first 20 minutes," Dykes said. "We did a lot of good things. In the second half, not so much. But at the end of the game, you held a team to 36 points and they only shot 25 percent from the floor on us and we played man-to-man defense the whole game."

Dykes said the loss of Monk, who was held out after taking a hard hit in the first half, and Wilson, injured at the start of the second half, left Arkansas with seven able-bodied players.

"It was just an odd game that had no flow or rhythm for us in the second half," Dykes said. "I'm proud of the way we fought through it. It's just one of those things that happens in the course of a season. We were really good in the first half though."

Additionally, sophomore Briunna Freeman missed her fourth consecutive game after undergoing gall bladder surgery. Dykes said he's unsure when she will return, but she's definitely out for Wednesday's game at Oral Roberts.

The Razorbacks, who suffered their first loss of the season a week ago at Missouri State, were led by senior Jessica Jackson, who finished with a game-high 23 points. She outscored the Lady Demons by herself (17-13) in the first half, while playing 14 minutes.

Arkansas was credited with assists on 13 of 16 field goals in the first half, shooting 50 percent (16 of 32) and turning the ball over four times.

Wilson had a team-high five assists in 17 minutes of action. Monk scored two points in 10 minutes before leaving in the second quarter.

Northwestern State Coach Jordan Dupuy said his team did a better job keeping Jackson, 6-3, from getting position down low in the second half.

"We weren't quick enough to double her early," he said. "But she's not only going to be a hard matchup for us, but a hard matchup for everybody in the SEC. She's a great player."

Keiryn Swenson chipped in 11 points and a team-high nine rebounds off the bench for Arkansas, while Shad Abboud and Beatrice Attura led Northwestern State (5-4) with 11 points each.

Sports on 12/19/2016

Upcoming Events