Razorbacks Flex Muscle in Unusual Blowout of Little Rock

Record-low points in opening quarter for Trojans paves way for comfortable Hogs win

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A layup on the opening possession for the Little Rock Trojans would be the only made field goal for the opening 13 minutes of play for the in-state visitors. The early cushion built up by their rival's struggles was more than enough to cruise to a 77-36 victory.  Coach Mike Neighbors used a cross-sport reference to help improve the Hogs' defense.

"I did borrow a set of keeper gloves from our SEC Champion soccer team," Neighbors said. "I jumped in there and said that for every batted ball we get, it'll go to our end-of-year party fund. Got our kids fired up."

Deviating from the past few games, the Hogs never let the Trojans back in the game, continually expanding the lead beyond 30 points and avoiding nailbiting moments in the second half, winning 77-36. Freshman Taliah Scott, who averaged 27 points coming into the game, led the team in scoring once again with 18, which included a buzzer-beater jumper to give the Hogs a 61-30 lead after three. 

"I didn't expect to come in and do what I've been doing," Scott said. "It's because I have a great team, great support system, great coaches, great teammates that support me. They've been supporting me throughout these past three games even when things have gotten hard. They've been by my side." 

The Razorbacks held their opponents to just 1-for-11 from the field in the first quarter, as Little Rock's stat sheet read more like a baseball box score rather than a hoops contest. 

Meanwhile, the Hogs generated just enough offense of their own, turning in a clean half of basketball with just three turnovers while forcing 13 turnovers from their opposition. A 15-0 run helped ballon the halftime lead to 34-14. Maryam Dauda entered the game with just seven points in the first two games but put up 10 of her 15 points on 4-for-5 shooting in the first half. Dauda was the only player in double figures at the break. Scott pitched in with seven points in the opening 20 minutes. 

The suffocating defense continued, allowing just 14 first-half points. The Hogs came dangerously close to a program record for the fewest points allowed in a half, a two-decade-old feat that was set in 2003 against Montana State when the Razorbacks allowed just eight points. 

Saylor Poffenbarger, more renowned for her rebounding in the early part of the season with 33 rebounds in the first two games, pitched in with a season-high 12 points including two triples, as the Hogs slowly see an uptick in their production from deep, making a season-high eight threes. 

Carly Keats reached double figures midway through the fourth quarter with four triples, the last of which applied the coup de grâce and stretched the lead to 74-32 with 5:31 left to play.

The Hogs hit the road for the first time to play Arkansas State, 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.

HOGS FEED:

ARKANSAS FANS ALREADY THROWING OUT NAMES FOR HEAD COACH THAT MAKE NO SENSE

IS IT TIME FOR KJ JEFFERSON ERA TO BE OVER AT ARKANSAS?

TWITTER GOES NUTS OVER LEAKED LOCATION OF POTENTIAL COACH CANDIDATE WHILE PITTMAN ERA STILL CONTINUES 

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