FAYETTVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas (15-3, 2-1 SEC) hit on all cylinders against Florida (12-4, 1-2 SEC) to cruise to a 102-74 victory on Thursday.
All five starters reached double digits in scoring with 15+ points each and the team tallied a season-high 23 assists, while outrebounding Florida, 43-33.
or the first time since 2020, the Razorbacks hit the century mark in total points, while starting league play 2-1, which is the best for Arkansas in the SEC since the 2010-11 season.
Saylor Poffenbarger got the Razorbacks started with back-to-back baskets with her second one coming off an and-1.
Arkansas fell in a drought from the field, missing each of their next four field goals until Makayla Daniels knocked down a shot from downtown and Chrissy Carr got one of her own on the next possession.
At the media timeout with 4:31 left in the first quarter, the Hogs held a slight 13-11 advantage. Whenever the Hot found a groove offensively, Florida matched, tying the game five times in the first quarter.
The Hogs closed the quarter on a 7-1 run to lead 24-19 after 10 minutes of play
The Razorbacks kept the momentum rolling into the second quarter, as Rylee Langerman had her first basket and drew a foul. Those three points continued the run, which stretched to 13-1 and began with a minute and some change left in the first quarter.
Florida called a timeout with 7:29 remaining in the second quarter, as Arkansas held a 30-19 edge.
After a Florida triple, the Hogs held the Gators quiet from the field, missing all of their next eight field goals.
After a Carr triple, the Hogs found themselves ahead 40-22 with less than two minutes left in the first half.
The Razorbacks didn’t take their foot off the gas, with big thanks to Spencer heating up, delivering eight of her 16 points in the second quarter.
Just before the half, Spencer attacked the basket for a layup and drew a foul, converting the three-point play. The Hogs outscored the Gators 24-8 in the second quarter to lead 48-27 at the half.
The Gators came out of the locker room with some fire, scoring the first two baskets of the second half, but Daniels 3-pointer put the Razorbacks back up by 20, then the Gators went on a 5-0 run.
After a Barnum layup, the Hogs led 53-36 with 6:30 remaining in the third quarter. Just after the media timeout, Florida knocked down two free throws, but a Langerman three-pointer on the other end put Arkansas back up by 20 with less than five minutes left in the third frame.
On multiple possessions late in the third, Daniels kept finding her home at the line, knocking down five of those six shots, as the Hogs led 68-49 with less than two minutes remaining in the quarter. Although the Gators outscored the Razorbacks 28-24 in the quarter, Arkansas entered the fourth quarter with a 72-55 lead.
The Razorbacks got the final quarter started with a Barnum and-one, but the Gators responded with one of their own.
After two Poffenbarger baskets, including a 3-pointer as the shot clock expired, all five starters were in double digits in scoring. Arkansas led 82-67 with 5:52 left in the game.
A second-chance jumper by Poffenbarger sparked the Razorbacks on an 11-3 run. Six of those points in that run were scored by Carr and Arkansas found itself ahead 91-67 with less than four minutes left in the game.
The Hogs ended the game on an 11-7 run, highlighted by an Emrie Ellis 3-pointer and two free throws by the sophomore, who helped Arkansas pass the century mark for the first time since 2020. Arkansas voyaged to an 102-74 win Thursday night.
Game Highlights
• Four of the starters reached 16 points, including Spencer who logged 16 points, six assists and four rebounds, while leading the team in efficiency with +27
• Carr tallied 16 points and drove to the basket efficiently while also knocking down two 3-pointers
• Daniels registered 16 points, while drawing eight fouls to finish 7-of-8 from the free throw line
• Poffenbarger recorded 16 points, eight rebounds and two assists
• Barnum was big with another near triple-double with 15 points, eight rebounds and six assists
• Langerman recorded eight points, three rebounds and two steals across 19 minutes played off the bench
• Jersey Wolfenbarger contributed a meaningful 18 minutes with eight points, seven rebounds and a block
• Ellis matched her season-high five points, while making her one 3-point attempt and making both free throws
• All 12 players saw action tonight
• Arkansas shot 49.2 percent (32-for-65) from the field, 40 percent (12-for-30) from 3-point and 74.3 percent (26-35) from the free throw line
• The Razorbacks held Florida to 34.4 percent (22-for-64) from the field and 22.2 percent (4-for-18) from beyond the arc
Next Game
Arkansas will play its first of two games against Missouri in the SEC slate on Sunday in Columbia, Missouri. Tipoff is set at 2 p.m. at Mizzou Arena and the game will be broadcast online on the SEC Network+.
