STATE SPORTS BRIEFS: UA's Matthews to play Augusta National event; Watson receives contract extension; Harvey powers Harding to victory

GOLF

UA's Matthews to play Augusta National event

FAYETTEVILLE -- University of Arkansas golfer Brooke Matthews has received an invitation to play in the prestigious Augusta National Women's Amateur, the university announced on Thursday.

The 72-player international event will take place March 31-April 3 in Augusta, Ga., with the first two rounds played at the Champions Retreat Golf Club and the final round on April 3 at Augusta National, site of the Masters, after a cut to 30.

Matthews, a junior from Rogers, enters the 2021 season on a tear, ranked No. 1 in the nation by GolfWeek after an excellent fall while playing an SEC-only schedule. Mathews won the inaugural Blessings Collegiate Invitational at her home course to open the season, beating reigning SEC Player of the Year Ingrid Lindblad of LSU by five strokes.

Matthews followed that with a runner-up finish at The Ally at Old Waverly, hosted by Mississippi State, and came in 11th at the Liz Murphy Fall Collegiate Classic.

Matthews will follow in the footsteps of former teammate Maria Fassi, who made national headlines with her good-natured showdown with Wake Forest's Jennifer Kupcho at the inaugural Augusta National Women's Amateur in April 2019.

Kupcho won the event with a late flourish, but Fassi returned the favor by winning the NCAA individual championship at Blessings Golf Club the following month.

Matthews played seven of nine rounds in the fall at or below par. Her current stroke average of 70.33 is on pace to eclipse Fassi's school-record 70.5 from the 2017-18 season.

-- Tom Murphy

VOLLEYBALL

UA's Watson receives contract extension

The contract for University of Arkansas Coach Jason Watson has been extended through the 2021 season.

Watson is in his fifth season as the Razorbacks' coach and has a record of 56-70 at Arkansas. He previously coached 11 combined seasons at Arizona State and his alma mater BYU, and has a career record of 256-218.

Watson's contract extension was effective Aug. 31, but was not finalized until September. The extension was discovered through an open records request.

Watson's initial contract with the Razorbacks was set to expire Dec. 31.

The Razorbacks are off to their best start under Watson after going 6-2 during a modified fall season against only SEC opponents. Among Arkansas' wins was a two-match sweep of then-No. 14 Texas A&M on Nov. 13-14 at Barnhill Arena.

In Watson's first four seasons Arkansas had a combined conference record of 26-46. The Razorbacks were 5-13 in SEC play the previous two seasons.

-- WholeHogSports.com

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Harvey powers Harding to victory

Romio Harvey had 28 points to lead Harding University to an 89-79 victory over Henderson State University on Thursday in Searcy.

Ramiro Santiago added 24 points for Harding (2-0, 2-0 Great American Conference).

Raekwon Rogers had 16 points and 10 rebounds for Henderson State (1-2, 1-2).

Arkansas Tech tops Southern Arkansas

Cejay Mann scored 17 points for Arkansas Tech University in a 66-59 victory over Southern Arkansas University in Russellville.

Tony Hall added 11 points for Arkansas Tech (3-2, 1-2 GAC).

Jalen Brooks led Southern Arkansas (3-1, 3-1) with 18 points.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Kirby wins 300th as Harding rolls

Harding University Coach Tim Kirby collected his 300th victory Thursday as the Lady Bisons used a strong third quarter to defeat Henderson State University 92-73 in Searcy.

Kennedy Cooper led Harding (1-2, 1-2 Great American Conference) with a season-high 17 points and 11 rebounds.

Ashley Farrar led Henderson State (1-2, 1-2) with 23 points.

Arkansas Tech thumps Southern Arkansas

Ashlei Lopez had 23 points and Jalei Oglesby added 22 points to lead Arkansas Tech University to a 115-94 victory over Southern Arkansas University in Russellville.

Hannah Villines had 20 points and 10 rebounds for Arkansas Tech (5-0, 4-0 GAC).

Kenzie Ezekiel led SAU (1-2, 1-2) with 17 points.

-- Democrat-Gazette Press Services

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