Alabama Spoils Scott's Return, Builds Big Lead to Sink Razorbacks
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Despite freshman guard Taliah Scott's first appearance since Jan. 4, it was the Alabama Crimson Tide who enacted revenge on Arkansas after the Razorbacks won the first meeting. The Crimson Tide led the entire second half in an 86-70 win.
"Their effort (Alabama) was noticeably different," coach Mike Neighbors said. "Noticeably different from the time before and noticeably different from ours. Disappointing."
Despite trailing by 20 after three, the Hogs fought valiantly down the stretch, cutting the lead to just nine with 3:38 left, but a tough layup inside on an offensive rebound by Alabama's leading scorer with 25 points sealed the Razorbacks' fate.
Both teams relied on the three-ball with eight triples in the first quarter. Saylor Poffenbarger carried her hot shooting over from the game against Missouri with eight of her 23 points in the first quarter. Alabama countered with seven from Barker and led 20-19 after 10 minutes.
After missing the last six games, Scott returned to the floor off the bench to a round of applause from the crowd of 2,756 on hand inside Bud Walton Arena. She made her first shot with 7:23 left in the second quarter, a three on the left wing. The rest of the Razorbacks offense went cold. Arkansas finished the second quarter 2-for-18 from the field and outscored 23-6 and went into the half down 43-28. Alabama ended the half scoring the last 12 points.
The halftime break didn't do much to solve the Razorbacks' shooting and defensive woes. Alabama continued to use a mix of fastbreak layups and outside shooting to expand the lead. A rare four-point play converted by Aaliyah Nye stretched the lead to 21 with 6:03 left in the quarter.
"This loss hurts a little bit more because we did beat them the first time," Poffenbarger said. "We showed how good we are."
The Crimson Tide finished with five different players in double figures and expanded the lead to 71-51 with one quarter left. The Razorbacks fought hard in the fourth but left too much to do down the stretch.
"How we come back is going to be everything for us," Poffenbarger said. "We've continued to bounce back every other game."
The Hogs will look to rebound against Auburn 5 p.m. Feb. 4 inside Bud Walton Arena. The game will be broadcast on SEC Network and fuboTV.
HOG FEED:
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WHERE IS THE MOMENTUM FOR PITTMAN GOING TO COME FROM AFTER LOSING TOP RECRUIT?
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