Watkins has 25 in Arkansas win

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HONOLULU, Hawai'i - Senior Sarah Watkins tied her career-best with 25 points off the bench leading the University of Arkansas women's basketball team to an 83-68 win over Hawai'i at the Waikiki Beach Resort Classic Saturday.

Arkansas (3-1) faces Oregon in the final game Sunday.

Watkins has battled foul trouble in nearly every game this season and Razorback head coach Tom Collen started sophomore Jhasmin Bowen today, allowing Watkins to come in from the bench.

The Germantown, Tenn., native responded with 25 points on 11-16 shooting including a 3-4 night from the line.

"That's more indicative of the kind of game we need from Sarah," Collen said.  "She doesn't have to score 25 a game but she was consistent on the offensive side and stepped up for us."

The Razorbacks were balanced with three players in double figures.  In addition to Watkins, Keira Peak, who had 30 points against No. 13 Oklahoma yesterday, had 16 points for the Razorbacks.  Sophomore Calli Berna added 12 points and seven boards while freshman Melissa Wolff posted 11 points for Arkansas.

As a team, the Razorbacks shot well, going 31-62 for a season-best 50 percent from the floor.  Arkansas hit five threes and was 16-23 from the line.  The Razorbacks also forced 14 turnovers while limiting their miscues to just eight in the win.

The game opened with a lackluster feel in the first 10 minutes.  Neither team had much spark on either side of the ball until Arkansas got three consecutive steals.  Although Arkansas didn't score on the steals, it changed the momentum swinging things to the Arkansas side of the floor.

The Razorbacks closed the first half with an 11-6 run taking a 38-29 lead into the locker room.  Arkansas would never trail again in the game.

The momentum stayed with Arkansas in the second half with the Razorbacks shooting 17-28 for 60.7 percent.