Makayla Daniels' Last-Second Heave Pulls Out Win for Hogs

All five starters in double figures as Razorbacks make game a little closer against Vanderbilt

Author:
allHOGS Staff
Publish date:
Jan 17, 2023 1:32 AM EST

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Senior veteran Makayla Daniels delivered when Arkansas (17-3, 4-1 SEC) needed her.

Daniels banked a a shot at the buzzer to elevate the Razorbacks to an 84-81 victory Monday night at Bud Walton Arena.

With the Razorbacks up by three points with 10 seconds left and no timeouts for either team, Vanderbilt tied the game on a banked 3-pointer, their 13th triple of the night.

Daniels took the ball down to the other end and banked a half-court shot with one second on the clock to call the game,

Makayla Daniels-Vanderbilt — Arkansas Razorbacks Makayla Daniels in game against Vanderbilt Commodores on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, Ark. (Andy Hodges / allHOGS Images)

The win matches last year’s regular season win count at 17, while marking the best start for the Hogs in SEC play since 2005-06. All five starters reached double digits in scoring for the second time in three games.

Vanderbilt kept earning second-chance opportunities off attacking the glass, leading the Razorbacks 7-4 just four minutes into the game.

With the Commodores still ahead, Chrissy Carr knocked down a 3-pointer to tie the game at 9-9. Both teams were held into a scoring drought for over two minutes, but the Hogs broke its drought first with a Maryam Dauda layup for the first lead in the game. Vanderbilt hit a 3-pointer for the last score of the quarter, as the Razorbacks trailed, 12-11.

Saylor Poffenbarger tied the game in the opening minutes of the second quarter with a free throw, and on the next possession, Carr hit her second triple after reaching 500 rebounds in her career shortly before that.

Vanderbilt tied the game off a successful and-1, but Makayla Daniels answered on the other end with a triple. The Commodores responded again with another 3-pointer, showing that once Arkansas started to get in a groove offensively, Vanderbilt would answer.

At the media timeout, the Hogs had a slight 23-22 advantage. Arkansas closed out the quarter making 5-of-7 field goals, including an Erynn Barnum layup, but a Vanderbilt jumper just before the half cut the deficit and Arkansas led 27-26 at the half.

The lead changed twice until Vanderbilt tied the game at 31 with a 3-pointer. Arkansas pulled ahead once again, but Vanderbilt responded again with a triple.

At the media timeout, the game was tied at 37. Arkansas went three of four from the charity stripe to go up by three, but once again, Vanderbilt knocked down a 3-pointer to tie the game.

Samara Spencer went up to double digits with a layup to pull the Razorbacks back ahead. Another Barnum layup and two Spencer free throws elevated the Razorbacks ahead by six, but a Vanderbilt 3-pointer cut the lead to three, as the Hogs went into the fourth quarter with a 50-47 edge.

Vanderbilt opened the final quarter with a jumper, but Spencer responded with a deep 3-pointer. Spencer did it once again with another deep 3-pointer after the Commodores cut the lead to one once again.

Samara Spencer-Vanderbilt — Arkansas Razorbacks Samara Spencer in game against the Vanderbilt Commodores on Monday night, Jan. 16, 2023, at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, Ark. (Andy Hodges / allHOGS Images)

After Spencer’s second triple, Vanderbilt called a timeout and Arkansas led 58-54 with 7:53 left in the game. Carr hit a huge 3-pointer and after an empty possession by Vanderbilt, Spencer came up with a layup, as the Razorbacks led 63-54 with seven minutes remaining in the game.

Vanderbilt scored three unanswered points to cut into the lead with the Hogs leading 63-57 with six minutes and some change to go. A Barnum free throw put the Razorbacks up by eight with 4:31 left in the game. Vanderbilt would not go away, continuously cutting the deficit by making 3-pointers

The Commodores went 7-for-7 from beyond the arc in the fourth quarter.

With the Razorbacks up by three, 78-75, with 20 seconds left in the game, the Commodores banked a 3-pointer to tie the game at 81 with 10 seconds left in the game.

That set up Daniels' dramatic buzzer-beater.

Game Highlights

• All five starters earned double digits in scoring for the second time in the last three games

• Spencer led the Razorbacks with 23 points on 9-of-15 shooting from the floor. She added five rebounds and three assists

• Barnum had a solid night with 18 points, nine rebounds, five assists, three steals and two blocks. She continues to perform on both ends of the floor

• Daniels, the hero of the night, finished with 16 points, six rebounds and four assists

• Poffenbarger logged 13 points and five rebounds

• Carr reached 500+ rebounds in her collegiate career, finishing with four boards on the night. She also put up 11 points, four rebounds and two blocks

• Arkansas went 25-for-35 from the free throw line