FAYETTEVILLE -- Fans who attended the Arkansas women's basketball game Tuesday night were treated to a block party as the Razorbacks blocked 13 shots to break the program's single-game record in a dominant 65-42 victory over Tennessee Tech (5-3) at Bud Walton Arena.
"If they're within the flow of the game, I'm OK with them. It's not something we actively try to go out and do," Arkansas coach Mike Neighbors said. "That's a bunch of blocks to have, maybe the most I've ever been a part of."
Arkansas 65, Tennessee Tech 42
Tennessee Tech^4^16^7^15^—^42
Arkansas^18^17^23^7^—^65
Tennessee Tech: Buckner 9, Brock 7, Wilkinson 6, Alexander 5, Harris 5, Lamb 4, Brady 3
Arkansas: Dungee 28, Gaulden 12, Zimmerman 7, Williams 6, Tolefree 5, Mason 4, Monk 2, Thomas 1,
Three-Point Goals: Tennessee Tech 4-16, Arkansas 7-23. Rebounds: Tennessee Tech 42, Arkansas 42.
Turnovers: Tennessee Tech 21, Arkansas 9. Technical Fouls: None.
Officials: Denise Brooks, Michael McConnell, Mark Resch.
Attendance: 502
Arkansas (6-2) racked up 10 total blocks, eight of which came in the first half. Junior forward Kiara Williams blocked four shots in the first quarter alone, and she finished with five.
"I was definitely surprised that they kept coming in, but they run the same dribble drive as we do," Williams said. "Coach just kind of tried to remind me that we're not the biggest team, so I couldn't just get so comfortable in blocking shots because that wouldn't convert over to the next game."
The number of blocks was a small indication of how effective the Hogs' pack-line defense was in shutting out a frantic Golden Eagles offense that came into the game averaging 71.1 points per game. They were playing at an extreme disadvantage after the first quarter ended and they'd only scored four points, and much of the reasoning had to do with the defensive-minded trio of Williams, sophomore guard Chelsea Dungee and junior guard Jailyn Mason.
"We wanted to try and attack them in the paint. That didn't work out very well for us tonight," said Tennessee Tech coach Kim Rosamond. "Typically, we do a really good job of getting to the free-throw line, and we just were not able to do that tonight. That's a credit to Arkansas' defense."
The score-first Dungee, who came into the game ranked fifth in the Southeastern Conference averaging 17.6 points per game and poured in 27 on the road against No. 23 Iowa State, showed her ability to control the game on the offensive end once again. She finished with 28 points on 12 of 18 shooting, four 3-pointers, five rebounds and two assists.
"I feel like I've got the hot hand right now, just confidence," Dungee said. "I shoot a lot, so that's where that confidence comes from."
Backup point guard A'Tyanna Gaulden was the only other Razorback to score in double figures. She registered 12 points, four rebounds and three assists.
After starting the season as one of the Razorbacks' primary scorers, junior guard Alexis Tolefree continued her recent slump with a 2-for-11 performance. Despite taking quality shots, she missed her first eight before finally scoring on a reverse layup in the third quarter. She hit a 3 in the final period to finish with five points.
"We left her in there to get one," Neighbors said. "That one that she got there late in the game, we called a set play for her to get that, and I think that's going to carry some confidence over. Once we get her going, and we keep everybody else going, that's when I think we can be pretty dangerous."
The Razorbacks held the Golden Eagles' two main scorers, sophomore Jordan Brock and senior Lacy Cantrell, in check. The former came into the game averaging 12.1 points, while the latter averaged 10.6. As a testament to Arkansas' defense, there were no double-figure scorers for the visitors Tuesday.
TIP-INS
• Dungee's 28 points were a season high, and it marked the fourth-straight game in which she's scored 20-plus points. She's done so five total times this year.
• The Razorbacks recorded a season highs in steals, led by Mason's three takeaways.
• Arkansas' 12-block record stood a day away from 36 years. The Hogs originally set it against Northeast Louisiana on Dec. 5, 1982.
UP NEXT
The Razorbacks travel to Abilene, Texas, to take on Abilene Christian on Saturday. The Wildcats' lone loss was to Tulsa on Nov. 28. Tipoff is at 1 p.m.
Sports on 12/05/2018