Hogs hold off Huskies as Dungee’s 37 points paces 90-87 win

For the second time this season Arkansas has knocked off a team ranked in the top five in the country, holding off UConn, 90-87, at Bud Walton Arena.

The Razorbacks improved to 12-6 overall with the win. It was the first loss for the Huskies this year.

The 2020-21 season is the first in program history to see the Razorbacks knock off two teams in the top five in the same season, as Arkansas also beat then-No. 4 Baylor at home, 83-78, back on Dec. 6.

UConn, the gold standard in women’s college basketball, has 11 national championships as a program.

Tonight marked their first loss this season, and only their ninth loss as a program since the 2014-15 season.

Arkansas guard Chelsea Dungee was simply unbelievable in the win, going for a season-high 37 points in the biggest game of her career.

The redshirt senior could not be stopped all game long, putting in 13 of her 21 shots on the night, including four of her five three-point attempts.

Dungee saved her best for last, putting in 22 of those points after halftime. Redshirt senior guard Amber Ramirez played another phenomenal game, meeting the moment with 22 points of her own, shooting 50 percent from the field (8-16) and 50 percent from deep (5-10).

Photo by Arkansas Communications

Turning point

Both teams lit up the scoreboard in the first half, each shooting over 50 percent from the field.

A 7-0 Arkansas push toward the end of the second quarter helped Arkansas to manage just a two-point deficit at halftime against the Huskies after UConn hit a shot just before the halftime buzzer.

Arkansas, who leads the SEC in three scoring categories this year, had no problem putting the ball in the basket against one of the best teams in the nation in the second half.

The third quarter was owned by the Razorbacks, as the Hogs outscored UConn 31-19 in the frame, including a 9-0 run out of the gate, aided by six three-pointers on seven attempts.

After extending the lead to nine points by the end of the third, the fourth quarter saw both juggernaut offenses at work, as each team tried to grab the lead.

Husky guard Paige Bueckers was simply phenomenal in the fourth quarter, keeping UConn in it with 15 points in the final frame alone.

Despite falling in close games earlier in the season, Arkansas did not falter late, making clutch shots down the stretch to hold the advantage until the final buzzer.

Photo by Arkansas Communications

Hogs highlights

• Dungee is the only Razorback to ever score 37+ more than once in a career. She has now done so three times — 41 against Auburn (2-7-19); 38 against Mizzou (1-12-10); and 37 against UConn (1-28-21).

• She also extended her double-digit scoring streak to 21 games, and her 20+ scoring streak to eight.

• Sophomore guard Makayla Daniels contributed 11 points while also guarding Christyn Williams in her homecoming.

• Senior forward Taylah Thomas was a game-high +17 against UConn. She scored four points and pulled down seven rebounds.

•¶ Ramirez’s five threes in the game was one-shy of her season-high.

Next game

Arkansas has a quick turnaround, as the Razorbacks next take on Auburn in Fayetteville on Sunday. Tip is scheduled for 2 p.m.

Information from Arkansas Communications is included in this story.