Collen, Razorbacks begin five game road swing

FAYETTEVILLE – Tom Collen leads the University of Arkansas women’s basketball team into action as the Razorbacks begin a five game road swing this week.

Arkansas (1-0) travels to Tulsa (0-2) for a 7 p.m. tip Thursday, getting the road games started.  The Razorbacks play at Oral Roberts Nov.  19, followed by three games at Hawai’i Nov. 23-25, where they face the host Rainbow Wahine, Oregon and Oklahoma.

“Teams bond on the road,” said Collen.  “We are going to take it one step at a time.  We would really like to win that first game and get a little confidence.  Each of our games gets a little tougher and we really want to get out to a good start.”

Tulsa enters the game with two early season losses to ORU and Arkansas-Little Rock.  Taleya Mayberry leads the team with 16.0 ppg with two other players, Tiffani Couisnad and Ashley Clark at or above 9.0 ppg.  The Golden Hurricane are coached by Matilda (Willis) Mossman, who was the head coach at Arkansas from 1981-84.

The Razorbacks opened with a convincing win over Jackson State scoring 97 points in the season’s first game.  Sophomore guard Calli Berna answered the challenge to score more points with a career-best 22 point effort in 26 minutes on the floor.  She was one of three players in double figures for the Razorbacks.

“Calli has a pretty good understanding of what this team needs her to do,” Collen said.  “She has to concentrate on being who she is.  She is a great passer and has great vision on the floor.  Clearly we want her to score more and she is capable of doing that.”

“We were excited to get that first win,” Berna said.  “We are ready to go out on the good and test ourselves on our opponent’s courts now.  We have been working hard in practice and we are ready for the challenges that are ahead of us.”

Also stepping up big in the opener for Arkansas was senior Quistelle Williams and sophomore Jhasmin Bowen.  Both players also recorded career-bests with Williams dropping in 17 points and Bowne added 14 points and 10 rebounds for her first career double-double.