Bowen’s big night sparks UA women

Arkansas' Jhasmin Bowen pulls up or a jump shot over Furman defender Brittany Hodges in the first half of a game at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville.

Jhasmin Bowen scored a career-high 20 points as Arkansas rolled past Southeast Missouri State 88-37 on Friday in its opening game at the New Mexico Tournament in Albuquerque, N.M.

Bowen and Jessica Jackson combined for nine points over the game’s first 10 minutes as Arkansas race out to a 17-4 lead. The Razorbacks extended the lead to 23-4 with 7:54 left in the first half while holding Southeast Missouri State scoreless for more than 10 minutes.

Arkansas (7-0) held Southeast Missouri State to 21 percent shooting in the first half and forced nine turnovers as it took a 38-14 lead into halftime.

“I think it started on the defensive end, and we were awfully good there taking away what they did,” Coach Tom Collen said. “That allowed us to get in transition. I think when you allow Calli [Berna] to get in transition she’s pretty good there and is able to pick you apart.”

Berna finished with 12 points, 11 assists and 7 rebounds. She had 9 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds in the first half.

Jackson and Keira Peak finished with 15 points each as Arkansas had four players score at least 10 points in a game for the fourth time this season.

The Razorbacks shot 56.9 percent from the floor and held the Redhawks to 20.3 percent shooting.

Sports, Pages 31 on 11/30/2013