FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas’ winning streak ended with a clank.
The Razorbacks women’s team misfired too many times Thursday night to overcome LSU, which took a 50-42 victory in front of an estimated 1,347 fans at Walton Arena. The Razorbacks (19-6, 8-5 SEC) had won a program-best eight consecutive conference games, but poor shooting and a lack of an inside presence doomed Arkansas.
LSU (18-8, 8-5) had lost 72-52 to Arkansas on Jan. 22 in Baton Rouge, but the Tigers came out determined to contest outside shots and shut down Arkansas forwards Sarah Watkins and Ashley Daniels. The plan worked well as Arkansas made 4 of 23 threepoint attempts, and Watkins and Daniels finished with eight fouls and six points.
Daniels, who fouled out after scoring two points, had scored 10 or more points during each of Arkansas’ victories during the winning streak.
“Obviously, we’re disappointed we lost,” Arkansas Coach Tom Collen said. “You’re going to take some hits in this league. We all wanted to keep it going. We’re more disappointed with the way we played.”
LSU Coach Nikki Caldwell said it should not have been a surprise it was a defensiveoriented game. Both LSU and Arkansas entered the game allowing opponents to score 52.5 points a game.
“Offensively, it definitely wasn’t pretty,” Caldwell said.
Collen praised LSU’s defensive game plan, which revolved around an extended 3-2 zone. Later, the Tigers switched from one zone to another or switched to man defense, even during Arkansas’ possessions.
With Arkansas shooting poorly — the Razorbacks finished 17 of 56 (30.4 percent) from the field — LSU didn’t have to worry about its 22 turnovers. The Tigers outrebounded Arkansas 36-21 as well.
Arkansas relies on its defense to set up its offense but managed only 13 points off LSU’s 22 turnovers. LSU scored the same point total off eight Razorbacks turnovers.
“We never really converted much,” Collen said. “We obviously shot the ball poorly.”
Arkansas trailed for much of the game but took a 25-22 lead on Lyndsay Harris’ free throw with 16:31 left in the game. The Razorbacks rebounded Harris’ second miss, but C’eira Ricketts missed an off-balance drive.
LSU capitalized by scoring the game’s next nine points to take a 31-25 lead. Arkansas cut the deficit to 33-32, but LSU’s Bianca Lutley banked in a three-pointer for a 36-32 lead.
After each team had a turnover, LSU scored on three consecutive possessions, including a three-point play and a three-pointer, to take a 44-36 lead with 2:54 left.
“We struggled offensively, but most of our breakdowns were on defense, not rebounding and not getting out on their shooters,” said Harris, who finished with 11 points.
TOP 25/SEC WOMEN
ALABAMA 77,
NO. 7 KENTUCKY 75
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Jasmine Robinson scored 17 points and Alabama held off a big rally for a victory over No. 7 Kentucky, the Crimson Tide’s first victory against a ranked team in more than nine years. The Tide (12-15, 2-11) had most of a 23-point lead wiped out in the second half before handing the leagueleading Wildcats (21-5, 10-3) their third consecutive loss. A’dia Mathies had 26 points for Kentucky.
NO. 13 TENNESSEE 57,
MISSISSIPPI ST. 41
STARKVILLE, Miss. — Shekinna Stricklen (Morrilton) had 22 points and 12 rebounds to lead No. 13 Tennessee to a victory over Mississippi State. Cierra Burdick added 10 points and Glory Johnson grabbed 15 rebounds for the Lady Volunteers (19-7, 10-3), who overcame 19 turnovers and 38.7 percent shooting (24 of 62). Tennessee improved to 33-0 all-time against the Lady Bulldogs. Kendra Grant scored 17 points and Porsha Porter added 15 for Mississippi State (14-12, 4-9).
NO. 18 GEORGIA 61,
NO. 25 SOUTH CAROLINA 59
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Anne Marie Armstrong made two free throws with five seconds left, lifting No. 18 Georgia to a victory over No. 25 South Carolina. The Lady Bulldogs (20-6, 9-4) led 59-55 with 1:07 left. Both La’Keisha Sutton and Iesia Walker went 2 of 2 at the foul line, pulling South Carolina (19-7, 8-5) even at 59-59 with 12 seconds left. Georgia got the ball back and South Carolina’s Sancheon White committed the foul, sending Armstrong to the line for the game-winning free throw. Jasmine Hassell led Georgia with 18 points, while Sutton paced South Carolina with 20 points.
Sports, Pages 22 on 02/17/2012