Aggies’ Nixon hits late shot for second time this season to down Hogs

COLLEGE STATION, Texas — For the second time this season, Texas A&M’s Jordan Nixon sank a driving shot to kill Arkansas’ chance at an upset.

“It’s the same team and the same result,” Razorbacks coach Mike Neighbors said later.

Back in January, Nixon hit a driving shot at the end for the win simply did it again for a 69-67 win, dropping the Hogs to 14-7 on the season (4-6 in the SEC). The Aggies, ranked No. 7 coming into the game, is now 18-1 overall (9-1 SEC).

“Another typical Arkansas and A&M game,” Aggies coach Gary Blair, who previously coached at Arkansas and was Neighbors’ first boss with the Hogs. “We know each other so well, we know our tendencies.”

Arkansas guard Amber Ramirez knocked down five three-pointers in her 21-point performance, the fourth-straight game that Ramirez has hit at least five shots from deep.

The Razorbacks had four players score in double figures and forced 17 A&M turnovers in the effort.

Turning point

In a game that mirrored the first matchup between the two teams this year, there was little to separate the Hogs and the Aggies, especially in the first half.

It was a back-and-forth affair with Ramirez and Arkansas senior Chelsea Dungee combining for 16 points, while Kayla Wells led the Aggies with nine points.

The second half was no less tight than the first, as the Razorbacks matched A&M punch-for-punch.

It looked like the Aggies might pull away with a surge late in the third quarter, but the Hogs answered with a 12-0 spurt of their own to erase a the deficit and pull even with just under three minutes to go.

Ramirez notched a clutch three with under 30 seconds to go, but Nixon won it again on the other end.

Hogs highlights

• Ramirez continued her solid play, going for 17+ for the fourth straight game.

• Redshirt sophomore forward Erynn Barnum packed a punch off the pine once again, going for 10 points on perfect 4/4 shooting.

• Dungee’s double-digit scoring streak now stands at 25 straight games.

Next game

 Arkansas returns home to take on the Mississippi State Bulldogs on Thursday at 8 p.m. That game will air on the SEC Network.