Beyond the Box: Arkansas hosts Memphis

Beyond the Box:  Arkansas 67 - Memphis 57 (WNIT First Round)

PLAYERS OF THE GAME: Dominique Wilson had the hot hand from the beginning. She was 5-5 from the field in the first half for 12 points at the break. The freshman finished with a team-high 15 points, and also added six rebounds in the victory.

PLAYS OF THE GAME: Early in the game, Arkansas showed that the quickness of their guards could exploit the Memphis defense. Dominique Wilson dribbled through the Tiger D multiple times, cutting to the hoop to score easy layups. Calli Berna also had a nice end-to-end play, snatching a Tigers pass in the backcourt and driving the whole way to score. 

TURNING POINTS OF THE GAME: In the early stages, Memphis held even with UA and was tied at 10-10. Arkansas than went on an 8-0 run, spurred by threes from Quistelle Williams and Erin Gatling, to take an 18-10 lead. After a Memphis snapped a scoreless drought with a lone free throw, Arkansas added five more including a Wilson three that pushed the lead to 23-11 and forced a Memphis timeout. Another 7-0 run later opened the lead to 32-15.

In the second half, Memphis cut into the Arkansas advantage, reducing their lead to six with five minutes to play. Arkansas held on late, including a late 7-0 run, to beat the Tigers by 10.

STATS OF THE GAME: In the first half, the Razorbacks held Memphis to just 29.6 percent from the field, while shooting their fourth highest single half mark of the year at 48.4 percent. In the second half, the percentage were flipped, as Memphis shot 42.4 percent, and Arkansas made just 25.9 percent of their shots. After building a 20 point lead, Memphis cut the deficit to as little as six, but the Razorbacks were able to hold on.