Razorbacks face Furman Sunday

GREENVILLE, S.C. – The University of Arkansas women’s basketball team returns to the court after finals week traveling to Furman for a non-conference matchup 1 p.m. Sunday.

Arkansas enters the game with an 8-1 record after a 64-56 win over No. 17 Kansas 10 days ago.  The Razorbacks practiced all week while taking finals and are ready to get back to the court after the big win over the Jayhawks last week.

“We gave the players a little time off to deal with finals but now they are ready to move on,” Arkansas head coach Tom Collen said.  “We have been really serious in our preparation for Furman.  It’s a road game and we have to be focused and ready to go.”

Arkansas has won five games in a row with the team’s only loss this year coming at the hands of No. 13 Oklahoma on a neutral floor.  Three players average in double figures for the Razorbacks paced by junior Keria Peak with 15.3 points per game this week.

Senior Sarah Watkins is next with 12.4 ppg followed by Quistelle Williams with 10.4 ppg.

One of the keys for the Razorbacks this season has been the team’s balance.  As many as seven different players have scored in double figures throughout the season and Collen has used several different starting combinations to keep opponents guessing.

The 10-day break from competition may be as big of a challenge as the opponent in Furman this week.

“You always worry about rust,” Collen said.  “We are coming off an awfully big win over Kansas and I worry more about them being mentally ready. Furman is 3-0 at home and we can’t overlook them.  We have to continue to push and take it one game at a time.”

Furman enters the game with a 3-5 record and has losses to SEC foes Georgia and South Carolina this season.  The Paladins have lost their last four but are undefeated at home this season. 

Arkansas returns to Fayetteville hosting Mississippi Valley State Dec. 19, Northwestern State Dec. 21 and Coppin State Dec. 28, before beginning conference play at Auburn Jan. 3.

We have four games leading into the SEC and we have to move through them and continue to get ready for conference play,” Collen said.