Razorbacks Tussle with Gators in Game with Tournament Implications

Back-and-forth game for Hogs with Florida comes down to last minute of game

Daniel Shi | Feb 8, 2024

Razorbacks Tussle with Gators in Game with Tournament Implications /

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Arkansas Razorbacks

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Despite a 10-point lead after three quarters, Arkansas lost a critical game against Florida on the road 85-81. Despite better shooting in the second half opened the floodgates, Florida came back to put a roadblock in the Razorbacks' tournament hopes.

Makayla Daniels is still scoring as well as she ever has in 5 seasons. She had 26 points and was a perfect 7-for-7 from the floor (including 5-for-5 from three) through the first three quarters to lead the way but it was not enough to top Florida.

"We turned it over for touchdowns [at the beginning and end of the game]," coach Mike Neighbors said. "Didn't even give our defense a chance."

Taliah Scott also chipped in with 20 in her home state but the Gators started the fourth quarter on a 7-0 run to shave the lead back to a one-possession game. The entire Razorback offense went cold and only finished the final quarter with 10 points. Despite all of the trials and tribulations in the final quarter, the Hogs' had one last chance to tie the game with 17 seconds left, but the shot rimmed out.

In what has been a consistent theme for Arkansas, another slow start put the Razorbacks behind the eight-ball early. A mid-quarter 11-0 run from Florida was helped by six second-chance points in the first quarter and Neighbors to call a timeout to halt the Gator momentum. Despite two early threes from Saylor Poffenbarger, the Razorbacks trailed 22-13 after 10 minutes.

After being held scoreless in the first quarter after 33 points against Auburn. Scott, who is from Florida and had 30 or so supporters in attendance, scored seven straight points to cut the deficit back to just one. A wing triple from Makayla Daniels capped a 16-5 Hog run and gave Arkansas a 29-27 lead.

Both teams would pick their offensive efficiency by combining for a stretch of 14-for-16 from the field including another triple from the corner from Poffenbarger. With the game tied at 46 and the Gators seemingly holding for the final shot of the half with 20 seconds, Poffenbarger jumped the passing lane and hit a buzzer-beater layup to cap off a frantic 35-point quarter from Arkansas.

Arkansas continued to play well in the third. Both Scott and Daniels had nine points in the quarter as Arkansas looked to have the game under control. The Razorbacks used the free throw line to its advantage, going 9-for-9 in the quarter and 20-for-20 to start the game before a massive collapse in the fourth quarter thanks in part to 17 turnovers on the game.

The Razorbacks will continue against Tennessee 6 p.m. Feb. 12 on the road. The game will be broadcast on SEC Network and fuboTV .