The Arkansas women's basketball team bounced back Wednesday night to end its two-game losing streak, defeating Missouri State 59-50 at JHQ Arena in Springfield, Mo.
Arkansas (7-2) was ranked No. 25 by The Associated Press last week and started 7-0 under Coach Jimmy Dykes before consecutive losses to South Dakota State and Rutgers knock it out of the poll.
The Razorbacks had three players score at least 10 points Wednesday, led by sophomore Kelsey Brooks' game-high 19 points. Sophomore Jessica Jackson had 13 points and four assists, while junior Melissa Wolff finished with 10 points, 9 rebounds and a career-high 5 blocks.
Senior Jhasmin Bowen added nine points and six rebounds.
Arkansas shot 45.1 percent from the floor and 46.2 percent from behind the three-point line while Missouri State (1-7) shot 33.9 percent.
The Razorbacks led 26-24 at halftime, and an 8-0 run to open the second half extended the lead to 34-24.
Arkansas' largest lead was 46-33 with 8:51 left after a putback by Bowen, but the Lady Bears cut the lead to five points twice and pulled to within 52-47 with 3:27 remaining on Riley Israel's jumper.
The Razorbacks outscored Missouri State 7-3 over the final 3:27 to seal the victory.
Playing in its second true road game of the season, Arkansas started slowly as Missouri State jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the game's first 3:12. The Razorbacks answered with an 8-0 run over the next 2:41. Brooks scored six consecutive points, including an aggressive strip-and-steal in the backcourt that results in a layup.
Arkansas completed an 11-2 run that lasted 9:07 to take its largest lead of the half, 23-16. Arkansas' 11-2 run included a 7:30 stretch in which the Razorbacks held Missouri State scoreless.
Despite shooting 50 percent, Arkansas wasn't able to pull away in the first half as the Hogs committed nine turnovers. Missouri State cut the lead to 26-24 before halftime.
Kenzie Williams led the Lady Bears with 15 points and six rebounds.
Sports on 12/11/2014