SEC WOMEN

Overtime losses pile up for Hogs

Arkansas coach Jimmy Dykes reacts to a call against Florida Thursday, Jan. 28, 2016, during the second half of play in Bud Walton Arena.

FAYETTEVILLE -- Another back-and-forth overtime battle, another missed opportunity for the Arkansas women's basketball team.

For the second consecutive Southeastern Conference game, the Razorbacks fought to the last seconds of regulation with victory in their grasp. But just like in Sunday's overtime loss at Auburn, Arkansas wasn't able to wrestle away a victory.

Florida's junior guard Simone Westbrook made a last-second shot to force overtime, and the Gators overwhelmed Arkansas late in the extra period in a 71-66 Gators victory Thursday at Walton Arena.

The Razorbacks (9-12, 4-4 SEC) had their chances, leading by as many as 10 early in the third quarter. Florida turned up the defensive pressure, using a 15-3 run to take a 44-42 lead late in the third quarter before the lead changed hands several times in the final 10 minutes.

Jessica Jackson made one of two free throws with 4.2 seconds left for a 59-57 Arkansas lead, but Westbrook had enough time to drive for the game-tying jumper.

"I thought it was a great piece of execution, and it was a big time play," Florida Coach Amanda Butler said. "I thought the game might be over there for a minute, but she made a great play."

The Gators (17-4, 5-3) scored the final six points of overtime to secure the win.

Arkansas converted just 9 of 18 free throws in the game and committed 24 turnovers compared with Florida's 17.

"It's a really down locker room," Arkansas Coach Jimmy Dykes said. "It was a really big ball game. We had a chance to get to 5-3.

"We make one more free throw at Auburn in regulation we win, and if we make one more free throw against Florida, we're 6-2. That's how close we are."

Jackson scored 16 points to lead four Arkansas players with 10 or more points. Kelsey Brooks finished with 14 points, and Devin Cosper and Alecia Cooley added 12 and 11, respectively.

Sports on 01/29/2016