ORLANDO, Fla. — Arkansas (6-2) dropped a heartbreaker on Thursday night, falling on the road to UCF (6-1), 52-51.
The game was a defensive struggle all night long, but the whistle was the difference. The Golden Knights made 19 of their 28 free throws while Arkansas made six out of eight.
The Hogs weren’t hitting at their normal clip from distance either, hitting 29 percent of their shots from deep.
Makayla Daniels went for a game-high 18 points on an efficient 5-of-10 shooting. She also added a team-high six rebounds and a game-high three steals.
Sasha Goforth was the only other Hog to reach double-figures with 11 points.
Turning point
This game came right down to the wire, and the Hogs were up against it late.
Goforth showed her clutch ability, first hitting a big-time three-pointer from the corner to cut the UCF lead to just one. Following a two-pointer from UCF, Daniels stepped to the line and calmly knocked down two free throws, trimming the lead to just one.
With the Golden Knights up 50-49, Goforth came up huge again, putting up a floater with her left hand that went down with just 15 seconds left.
UCF responded, though, as Diamond Battles hit what turned out to be the game winner with just eight seconds left. Arkansas got another chance, but the Hogs would turn it over just before the buzzer sounded.
Hogs highlights
• Daniels continues to be a monster on the glass, going for six more rebounds.
• Elauna Eaton and Jersey Wolfenbarger hit big shots in this one off the bench, going for three and six points, respectively.
• Erynn Barnum was also good on the glass, hauling in three rebounds.
Next game
Arkansas returns to Bud Walton on Sunday, as Cal comes to town. That game is set to tip at 1 p.m. CT, and will air live on SEC Network+.
Information from Arkansas Communications is included in this story.
