Dungee’s 38 points paces Razorbacks past Ole Miss on Friday night

Destiny Slocum wasn’t able to play Friday night, but Chelsea Dungee exploded for a 38-point night and Arkansas downed Ole Miss, 84-74.

The 18th-ranked Razorbacks (16-7, 6-6) completed the Mississippi sweep, taking down Ole Miss (9-8, 3-8). With the win, Arkansas has clawed back to .500 in the SEC, and has now won five of its last six games.

Slocum, a senior transfer, has been a key member of the team and Mike Neighbors said after the game her absence had nothing to do with covid-19 or a practice injury.

Dungee was at it again against the Rebels, exploding for a season-high 38 points, making 11 of her 22 shot attempts, while also putting in 14 of her 17 free throws.

It was her fourth game this season going for 30+ points, and the fifth time in her career going for 37 or more.

Her performance also broke a tie with former men’s basketball star Mason Jones for the most 37+ point performances by a player, man or woman, ever put on in Bud Walton Arena.

Turning point

Dungee and Amber Ramirez were hot from the start, both recording double-digit points in the first half.

Dungee went for 18, while Ramirez chipped in with 10. An 11-0 Arkansas run in the first quarter shifted the momentum in the Hogs’ favor early, with the home squad knocking down 55 percent of their first-half shots.

The Razorbacks forced 12 Rebel turnovers in the opening two frames to help Arkansas secure a 41-36 lead going into the locker room.

The second half started much like the first, as Arkansas tallied six quick points to start the final 20 minutes.

Dungee pounded the paint, drawing six fouls for 11 free throws in the second half alone, knocking down nine of them.

The Rebels had a surge of their own, though, drawing multiple three-point plays in the fourth quarter to try to draw even with the Hogs, but Arkansas kept the pressure on, courtesy of a couple of big buckets by Erynn Barnum and Marquesha Davis down the stretch.

Hogs highlights

• Dungee was only three points shy of her career high (41, Auburn, 2019).

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• Dungee has now hit 10+ free throws in six games this season.

• On top of it all, she also had four assists and two steals.

• Dungee’s 38-point total was the third highest scoring game by an SEC player in a conference game this season.

• Jailyn Mason was big on the glass after being pressed into starting duty, grabbing a team-high six rebounds for the Hogs.

• Ramirez continued her hot scoring streak, as she has scored 15+ in five of her last six games.

• Mason and Ramirez also nabbed three steals each.

• Barnum recorded a game-high +17 in her big game off the bench, going for seven points, four boards and two steals.

Next game

Arkansas will be back in action on Sunday, heading to the Bayou to play LSU.

Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on the SEC Network.