Arkansas coach Mike Anderson met with the media Monday and talked about how Daniel Gafford is having a great season while looking ahead to the rematch with the Tigers on Tuesday night.
Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: Monday
John & Tommy discuss the South Carolina loss, the AAF, Best/Worst of the weekend and more!
Mike wants explanation from SEC on T, but may get standard line
Arkansas’ women’s basketball doesn’t have a game for a week, so Mike Neighbors’ schedule may be open, which is good because he’s wanting some clarification from SEC commissioner Greg Sankey.
After the Razorbacks had whittled a 17-point Auburn lead down to four, 65-61, Jaiyn Mason had a steak, but Malica Monk missed the layup. Kiara Williams got the rebound, missed a short jumper, got the rebound and that’s when the problems started.
Williams was called for a foul and Neighbors registered a complaint. Okay, he did it loudly and with some enthusiasm. Assistant coach Todd Schaefer came out to get him and the bench was hit with a technical.
“That is EXACTLY what we are taught to do as assistant coaches our entire life,” Neighbors said to the media later. “We are taught to protect the head coach and go get the head coach and that’s exactly what happened.”
He was not going to give his opinion, though. The league office frowns on that and is fairly quick to get money from those who deliver opinions they view as too negative or questioning.
“We were told the technical was issued because one of my assistant coaches left the bench and the assistant coach was trying to get me to not go on the floor,” Neighbors said.
Well, it does happen all across the league every game and it’s called so seldom I thought they had changed the rule.
“That’s what they told us, so I’m not telling you anything about my opinion on it,” Neighbors said. “I’m just reporting the fact of what they told us.”
He’s holding his opinion, which is probably the smartest thing to do.
“I’m not sure I could comment further on it without talking to commissioner Sankey tomorrow so I’m not going to,” he said.
All he wants is a clarification for a simple reason.
“I want my assistant coaches to do that,” Neighbors said. “That’s exactly who we are and that’s the program we’ll aways be.”
That didn’t cost the Hogs the game. They even got a make-up technical later when the Tigers’ Crystal Primm was whistled for a foul she didn’t agree with.
“She showed a little too much emotion on the foul,” Auburn coach Terri Williams-Flournoy said later. “Since I can’t talk about the refs, that’s all I can say right now.”
It’s a good bet she will be talking to somebody in the league office Monday, too.
Neighbors, on the other hand, just wants to understand exactly why there was a call in the first place.
“If that’s the rule, then I need to understand it better and I need to teach it better because I speak at clinics all over the country and I tell assistant coaches that’s part of their job,” Neighbors said.
The explanation from the league office may be interesting.
Some enlightment would be nice, but the guess here is it’s be termed a judgement call, Neighbors understands the rule and he’ll hear what other coaches have heard from the league:
“Hey, coach, we’re sorry … we missed it and you’re right.”
Oh, and the standard close:
“Good luck.”
That really should be the opening line from the league on most of these things.
Razorbacks shut out Campbell in six innings to complete winning opening weekend
LAKE CHARLES, La. — Arkansas closed out a successful weekend in the Pelican State with a six-inning 8-0 win over Campbell on Sunday.
Sophomore Mary Haff pitched her third complete game of the season and recorded 13 strikeouts in the win, tying her career record.
Through 20 innings in the circle, Haff has allowed only four hits and not a single run.
Up Next
Arkansas will be back on the road next week, as the Hogs go south to Mexico for the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge, where set to face North Dakota State, No. 3 Washington, Northern Colorado, and Sacramento State over the three-day weekend.
The tournament is powered by Triple Crown Sports and hosted by Flo Softball.
How It Happened
Both the Hogs and the Camels would enter the second inning scoreless, but it didn’t take long for Arkansas to put runners on base, as Kayla Green took a full-count walk to reach first.
With two outs on the board and a Hog on first, senior Haydi Bugarin took things into her own hands as she unloaded on a 2-1 count and sent it soaring over the center field wall. The homer is Bugarin’s first of the season and the eighth of her career.
Sophomore transfer Danielle Gibson battle back from an 0-2 count to leadoff the third inning with a single to second base. She moved to second as Green found her way on base again, this time in a hit-by-pitch scenario.
Ryan Jackson made contact off Campbell’s pitch and sent it roaring down the right-field line, scoring Gibson and giving the Razorbacks a three-run lead headed into the fourth.
The Fighting Camels responded with their first hit of the game, a single to shortstop, but the Hog defense held strong as Haff accounted for all three outs of the inning with three more strikeouts in the book.
Arkansas picked up right where they left off, as Bugarin and freshman Maggie Hicks took back-to-back hits into left field, putting runners on first and second for Hannah McEwen with no outs.
Campbell would call for a defensive change on the rubber, but no sweat off McEwen’s back, as she stepped up and skipped a speedy hit through the middle and scored Bugarin.
Two more singles by seniors Katie Warrick and Ashley Diaz would tack on another three runs for the Hogs, who wrapped up the fourth inning with four runs on five hits.
The fifth inning would be scoreless for both teams and after Campbell threatened with a base runner in the sixth, Arkansas responded with pinch hitter, freshman Taylor Greene to lead off the sixth.
Greene drew her first collegiate walk as a Hog and looked to Sam Torres to take first to pinch run for the Hogs. Torres used her quick feet to steal second and advance to third as Gibson grounded out to first base.
Warrick followed suit and beautifully executed a sacrifice fly to deep right-center field, giving Torres the time she needed to tag up and score, in a walk-off, eight-run win.
Dungee’s 41 points not enough as Hogs unable to close comeback
FAYETTEVILLE — Chelsea Dungee scored 41 points, but Arkansas fell, 75-52, to Auburn in Southeastern Conference action in Bud Walton Arena on Sunday.
Chelsea Dungee
• 41 points
• 10-for-18 from the floor
• 4-for-7 from 3-point range
• 17-for-19 from the line
• 40 minutes
An early rebounding advantage paired with nearly 50 percent shooting allowed the Tigers (18-6, 6-5 SEC) to open up an early lead in the first half.
Arkansas (16-9, 5-6 SEC) also started fast but poorly-timed turnovers and a size disadvantage allowed Auburn to stretch the lead to 14 points at the break.
Dungee had nine points in the first half but exploded in the third quarter with a 17-point effort. She hit three 3-pointers and went 8-for-9 from the line but Arkansas seemed unable to close the gap, trailing 60-47 as they started the fourth frame.
But Arkansas rallied. They had a short scoring run to start the quarter and found a spark from senior Raven Northcross-Baker. Baker finished with 12 points making four 3-pointers off the bench.
The Razorbacks chipped away at the score closing within three points when Dungee was fouled. She went to the line for four free throws after a technical foul was also assessed.
Dungee drained all four bonus shots giving Arkansas the lead, 71-70, with 1:39 to play. Auburn answered from the free throw line reclaiming the lead. Arkansas had one last chance but couldn’t get the shot to fall.
Arkansas has its second bye of the season on Thursday and returns to action with back-to-back road games at Kentucky Feb. 17, and at Georgia Feb. 21.
Notes
• Arkansas Starters: Alexis Tolefree, Malica Monk, Kiara Williams, Jailyn Mason, Chelsea Dungee
• Chelsea Dungee scored 17 points in the third quarter.
• Chelsea Dungee has scored in double figures in 22 of Arkansas’ 25 games and has scored 20 or more points 12 times this year.
• Chelsea Dungee has been Arkansas’ leading scorer in 13 games.
• Chelsea Dungee has scored 30+ points twice (Auburn and #16 South Carolina).
• Chelsea Dungee’s 41 points is the most in program history in an SEC game. It is three points shy of the all-time single-game record of 44 points.
• Raven Northcross-Baker scored 12 points. It is her second game of the season in double figures.
Neighbors, Dungee on loss to Auburn, Dungee’s 41-point game
Arkansas coach Mike Neighbors and Chelsea Dungee (41 points, 32 in the second half) talked about the comeback, getting close in the fourth quarter and a late technical foul.
Auburn’s Williams-Flournoy on team hanging on for win over Hogs
Tigers’ coach Terri Williams-Flournoy talked with the media after her team saw a 17-point lead in the third quarter evaporate where they had to scramble for a late win.
Arkansas finishes second day of Tyson Invitational with strong performances
FAYETTEVILLE — No. 1 Arkansas closed out the Tyson Invitational with sensational marks in multiple events including an exciting finish to the women’s 4×400-meter relay Saturday afternoon at the Randal Tyson Indoor Track.
Janeek Brown posted her second personal-best mark of the weekend, competing in the open section of the 200-meters. Following her run in the 60-meter hurdles (7.95) last night — currently, No. 5 in the world this season — the sophomore posted a winning time of time of 23.37 that is currently No. 17 in the NCAA.
In the Invitational section of the 200-meters, Payton Chadwick’s 23.15 led the Razorbacks earning her a fifth-place finish. Also competing in the Invitational 200-meters were Kethlin Campbell (23.44 – indoor PR), and Jada Baylark (23.64) who rounded out the event for Arkansas.
The Razorbacks returned to the track to post a near season-best in the 4×400-meter relay as Sydney Hammit (54.95), Morgan Burks-Magee (52.13), Payton Chadwick (52.82), and Kethlin Campbell (51.47) teamed up to run 3:31.35. Burks-Magee and Chadwick posted the fastest time on their legs in the race with their respective carries of the baton.
Rylee Robinson finished second in the open section of the pole vault with her clearance of 4.13m (13-6.50), while Desiree Freier finished fifth in the Invitational pole vault finishing with a best of 4.23m (13-10.50).
J’Alyiea Smith finished second in the women’s high jump, clearing 1.72m (5-7.75) that is a mere 1-inch off her personal-best in the event from earlier this season.
Arkansas returns to the track for the regular season finale – the Arkansas Qualifier – Feb. 15 with primetime action slated to begin at 5 p.m.
Softball rolls through Samford, Lipscomb in Cowgirl Classic in Louisiana
LAKE CHARLES, La. — It was another successful day on the diamond for Arkansas, who notched two more wins on Saturday after taking down Samford in 6-1 fashion and securing a 5-0 decision over Lipscomb.
The Razorbacks move to 4-0 on the season, outscoring opponents 24-4.
Up Next
Arkansas will face one last opponent in the Cowgirl Classic, seeing a familiar face in Campbell University. The Razorbacks and Camels, who met earlier this weekend in a 7-3 victory for the Hogs, will share the diamond once more on Sunday morning (Feb. 10) at 9 a.m.
Game 1: Arkansas 6, Samford 1
The Razorbacks did not trail for a single inning on Friday (Feb. 8), and they weren’t letting that streak end on Saturday, jumping out to a quick two-run lead after Ashley Diaz fired off her third double of the season into right center field. Diaz scored Danielle Gibson on the hit, who reached on a hit by pitch call earlier in the inning.
Now with Warrick on third, who’s single would put her on base just before Diaz’ hit, and Diaz on second, Kayla Green would draw a walk to load the bases full of Hogs. Sophomore Linnie Malkin stepped up as the designated player, and reached first base on balls as well, pushing Warrick across the plate for another Arkansas run.
Both teams would go scoreless through the second, third and fourth innings, and after Samford threatened with two Bulldogs on base in the fifth, the Razorbacks had to respond with another offensive spark.
Gibson would lead off the fifth inning with her first home run in the cardinal white, taking the first pitch over the right field wall, and giving Arkansas a little more breathing room on the scoreboard.
Only one inning later, Jackson kicked off the sixth with a single to shortstop, turning on the jets and beating out the throw from Samford. Malkin finds her way to first once again, this time with a pitch to the leg, Carley Haizlip would take Malkin’s place on first and with a perfectly executed sacrifice bunt from Haydi Bugarin, Haizlip and Jackson were now in scoring position.
With one out on the board, Maggie Hicks and McEwen would go back-to-back with singles, driving in a combined three more runs.
Samford would shut-down Arkansas’ shut-out attempt, with one run scored off a Razorback error and a single back to winning pitcher, Autumn Storms, but the Hogs defense held off the comeback attempt and held onto a 6-1 win over the Bulldogs in the end.
Game 2: Arkansas 5, Lipscomb 0
Once again, the Razorbacks wasted no time putting runs on the board, firing off five runs over the second and third innings, sparked by a single by Jackson.Jackson’s hit was followed by the same from Malkin, and now with runners on first and second, catcher Nicole Duncan laid down a sacrifice bunt- moving Jackson and Malkin into scoring position.
Hicks approached the plate and soared a line drive into left field, Lipscomb fumbled the catch and with the error Hicks had the chance to round two. The Lady Bisons were able to catch Hicks at third, but not before the End Rock, Ark. native earned two RBI with the scores of Jackson and Malkin.
Back at the top of the order, Gibson started the three-run inning reaching first base with a walk and advanced to third with a key double from Warrick. Diaz’ followed with a double of her own, her fourth of the season, scoring both Warrick and Gibson on the fiery hit up the middle. Haizlip would enter and take Diaz’ place on second.
Jackson singled through the right side, loading the bases with Hogs for Malkin. The Lady Bisons would make a defensive change in the circle, but the Razorbacks had no intentions on slowing down.
Malkin and Duncan would reach base on a walk and hit-by-pitch call respectively, scoring Haizlip in the process. Haizlip would be the fifth and final run for the Hogs, but that’s all they would need to take down Lipscomb, 5-0.
Starting pitcher Mary Haff pitched a complete game, for her 31st win of her career- moving her into seventh place in the all-time career wins.
Razorback Mile Relay delivers exciting finish to Tyson Invitational on Saturday
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas closed out the Tyson Invitational Saturday afternoon at the Randal Tyson Indoor Track running the 11th-fastest 4×400-meter relay in the NCAA this season.
The 4×400-meter relay of Jalen Brown (47.04), Hunter Woodhall (46.56), Travean Caldwell (47.22), and James Milholen (46.36) ran 3:07.17 to win section three while finishing sixth-overall in the event.
The 200-meter saw Rashad Boyd set a collegiate-PR in the one-turn race crossing the line in a quick 21.62 that led Arkansas in the open section of the 200-meters.
In the Invitational section of the 200-meters, Kris Hari was the quickest Razorback to the finish line clocking 21.50 – an indoor personal-best time.
Jeff Rogers and Sam Kempka turned in seventh and 11th-place finishes in the shot put competition that included the reigning NCAA Outdoor Champion in the event, Georgia’s Denzel Comenentia.
Rogers finished with a mark of 17.02m (55-10.25) – a season-best – while Kempka finished at 15.95m (52-4).
Arkansas returns to the track for the regular season finale – the Arkansas Qualifier – Feb. 15 with primetime action slated to begin at 5 p.m.
Hogs’ second-half double-digit leads collapses into 77-65 loss to Gamecocks
Mike Anderson is going to have a tough time putting Saturday’s 77-65 loss at South Carolina off on the team’s youth, inexperience and other excuses.
Arkansas simply collapsed in the second half after building a 13-point lead with 15:37 left.
There’s really no way to sugar-coat or put a good spin on it. At least there’s not going to be any way to do it many of the fans will buy.
At times this year Anderson has put these down gaps off on youth and inexperience. That’s a cop-out at this point. As Isaiah Joe said earlier this week they aren’t freshmen anymore.
And when Daniel Gafford gets himself in foul trouble early and can only play 22 minutes, getting just eight points and five rebounds, the Hogs are going to struggle. He played just five minutes in the first half when he scored half of his points.
He was out-played by the Gamecocks’ Chris Silva (16 points, 8 rebounds). A.J. Lawson led everybody with 24 and Keyshawn Bryant had 17.
Anderson got out-coached by Frank Martin, who didn’t let his team throw in the towel when they were throwing the ball all over the court in the first half.
In the second half, South Carolina was hitting shots while the Hogs couldn’t hit water if they fell out of a boat.
Point guard Jalen Harris led Arkansas with 17 points, Mason Jones had 15 and Joe was just 4-of-11 from the field.
The bench scored just eight points for the entire game.
The Razorbacks were 38.6 percent from the field in the game (South Carolina). The Gamecocks shot 54.2 percent, 60.7 percent in the second half.
The loss drops the Hogs to 14-9 overall and 5-5 in the SEC. They will go back on the road to the other Columbia, facing Missouri on Tuesday at 8 p.m.
