FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas scored its second impressive SEC victory in a week.
Jessica Jackson scored 25 points and led a second-half surge that resulted in a 64-59 victory over Tennessee before a crowd of 1,108 Thursday night at Walton Arena. Devin Cosper added 11 points and Jordan Danberry 10 for the Razorbacks.
It was the second consecutive upset victory at home for the Razorbacks, who defeated then-No. 13 Texas A&M 67-61 on Jan. 7. Tennessee was ranked No. 13 in The Associated Press poll this week after beating Auburn on Sunday.
Tennessee held a 32-21 halftime lead over Arkansas on second-quarter runs of 7-0 and 9-0. The Razorbacks (7-10, 2-2 SEC) responded with their own 9-0 to begin the third quarter, where they eventually outscored the Lady Vols (11-5, 2-2) 22-8.
Dykes said before the game that he had hoped to take his program to the level of Tennessee, which has won eight NCAA championships, the last coming in 2008.
"So proud of our young ladies, who came back after being down by 11 at the half to Tennessee," said Dykes, who has a 25-24 record in two seasons at Arkansas. "To come out and outwork them in the final 20 minutes is a big step for our program. It counts as one win, but it counts a lot in how we're building this program."
Jackson made a three-pointer to give Arkansas a 48-44 lead early in the fourth quarter. Danberry followed with consecutive baskets, and Alecia Cooley scored off of a rebound to put Arkansas ahead 54-44 with 2:40 left in the game.
Tennessee closed to within 60-57 with 25 seconds left, but Jackson made four consecutive free throws to secure the victory for the Razorbacks.
Diamond DeShields scored 14 points to lead Tennessee.
"They came out the second half with a chip on their shoulder, and we couldn't match," Tennessee guard Andraya Carter said. "We didn't punch back."
Dykes thrust his hand in the air at the final buzzer, then joined his team for a little dance in the middle of the huddle.
"For a lot of our kids, it was our fourth SEC game ever," Dykes said. "We got good minutes out of everybody and made our free throws down the stretch."
Tennessee used a smothering zone defense in the second quarter to outscore the Razorbacks 16-6. The Lady Vols forced four turnovers in the quarter, and Arkansas managed to make 2 of 14 field goals.
Six players scored in the quarter for Tennessee, including DeShields, who had 11 points at halftime.
Tennessee ended the second quarter with a 9-0 run to take its 11-point halftime lead. Arkansas responded with its own 9-0 run to take command in the second half.
Arkansas will host another AP top 25 team Sunday when No. 24 Missouri comes to Fayetteville.
Sports on 01/15/2016