FAYETTEVILLE — Georgia has dominated the all-time series against No. 21 Arkansas since the Razorbacks joined the SEC.
The Bulldogs left Walton Arena on Thursday night with another victory, 64-55, improving their all-time record against Arkansas to 35-6, including a 17-3 mark in Fayetteville.
“Georgia dictated the pace from tip to buzzer,” Arkansas Coach Mike Neighbors said. “They looked like they wanted it more and had more to play for. It’s probably the most disappointed I’ve been in our team this year and really the only time I have been.”
The Razorbacks (15-4, 3-3 SEC) were coming off a victory at Vanderbilt on Sunday, scoring 100 points and winning in Nashville for the first time in nearly 20 years.
It didn’t translate against the Bulldogs, as they the Razorbacks shot 32 percent from the field and 19 percent from three-point range. The 55 points were a season-low.
“We missed shots that we normally make,” Arkansas guard Alexis Tolefree said. “They closed off the lane, but we don’t normally shoot a lot of layups anyway. We’ve got to get back in the gym and get back to work.”
Erynn Barnum and Chelsea Dungee were the only players to score more than 10 points for Arkansas.
“Energy hasn’t been there the last 2-3 days,” Dungee said. “For whatever reason it’s just been kind of dead in practice, but we plan on coming out and performing a lot better on Sunday.”
Barnum’s play was a silver lining for Neighbors.
“I’ve got to find a way to get her more minutes,” Neighbors said. “She got tired at the end, or she would’ve been able to do more, and that’s on me.”
Amber Ramirez did manage to hit a three-pointer at the halftime buzzer that tied the game at 29-29.
Georgia forced 20 turnovers and outscored the Razorbacks on fast-break points 16-5.
“We knew we couldn’t trade threes for twos with them,” Georgia Coach Joni Taylor said. “They are an extremely talented team. I have so much respect for Mike and what he’s doing here. We wanted to take away their three-point shooting and their ability get to the free-throw line, and luckily we were able to do one of those two.”
The loss will put the Razorbacks in danger of falling out of the top 25, as this is the latest in a season that an Arkansas women’s team has been ranked since 2002.
Next up for Arkansas is a 2 p.m. home game Sunday against Florida.