Razorbacks start fast, keep going in win over Golden Lions to open season

PINE BLUFF, Ark. — Arkansas women’s basketball (1-0) took down sister school Arkansas-Pine Bluff (0-1) on Monday night, 70-50, to kick off the 47th season of the program.

The Razorbacks took a 42-17 edge going into the locker room behind 52.6% shooting, and despite being outscored 33-28 in the second half, the team kicked off the season with a big 20-point win in an electric environment.

Four players reached double digits, led by Erynn Barnum’s 17 points.

Chrissy Carr delivered the Razorbacks their first basket of the 2022-23 season off a triple. UAPB went on a 4-0 run to take the lead, 6-5, just a little over three minutes into the game.

That lead was their only one of the game and was short-lived.

Saylor Poffenbarger responded with a 3-pointer followed by Barnum registering a basket off a steal. In a hard-fought defensive battle in the first quarter, Arkansas had the edge, 15-10.

UAPB did not score for over four minutes into the second quarter, allowing Arkansas to cruise to a 29-10 lead.

Another Poffenbarger 3-pointer and a Jersey Wolfenbarger layup helped the Razorbacks take a 37-14 edge with 2:32 left in the first half.

Barnum dominated in the second quarter with 10 of her 17 points coming in the frame. Arkansas held the Lions to just seven points in the second quarter, outscoring UAPB 27-7 in that quarter.

Arkansas came out of the locker room with a 42-17 advantage.

The Razorbacks kept the momentum in the beginning of the second half, getting to the foul line three times in the matter of 25 seconds

 In the opening four minutes of the third quarter, Arkansas outscored the Lions, 14-6 to extend their lead to 33 points.

Samara Spencer delivered seven of her 15 points in the third quarter alone. After a Barnum layup off a turnover with 3:51 left in the third quarter, the Razorbacks found some trouble from the field.

The Razorbacks would be quieted from the field until 2:19 remaining in the game courtesy of a Maryam Dauda layup.

Arkansas at least got to the line in the fourth quarter, going 5-for-8 from the charity stripe.

Free throw shooting was a struggle in a loud, sold-out environment, as the Razorbacks shot 19-for-44 from the free throw line on Monday night.

Despite being outscored 15-9 in the fourth, Arkansas’ hot start was just what the team needed to start out the season 1-0.

Game Notes

• Barnum led the Razorbacks with 17 points and most likely her third career double-double, pending official statistics.
• Spencer picked up from where she left off during her SEC Freshman of the Year season. She tallied 15 points.
• Poffenbarger delivered in her well-anticipated Arkansas debut with 11 points.
• Carr opened up the season with 10 points to earn her 65th career double-digit scoring game.

Next Game

Arkansas will host Central Arkansas for its home opener on Friday\ at 10:30 a.m. The game serves as Arkansas’ Elementary Day, marking the first time since 2019 the Razorbacks will host this event.

Information from Arkansas Communications is included in this story.