Missouri closes pre-holiday homestand

Sunday brings Big 12-SEC showdown to Bud Walton Arena as the 9-2 Arkansas Razorbacks host the 5-4 Missouri Tigers at 2 p.m.

The game will air on the Razorback Sports Network women’s basketball radio affiliates, and will also be available on-line through RazorVision at ArkansasRazorbacks.com.

Cindy Stein brings the Tigers on the road for just the third time this season, and after a long break for final exams. Jessra Johnson (14.6 ppg) and Alyssa Hollins (14.2 ppg) lead the way for the Tigers’ offense, with Shakara Jones rounding out the double-digit scorers with 11.6 ppg.

Sunday is the first game back on the court for the Tigers since Dec. 14.

Junior guard Charity Ford is a game-time decision for Missouri on Sunday. As dramatic as it appeared when Ford collided with a Dartmouth player and landed awkwardly on her left leg, the junior guard got a clean bill of health at the doctors on Friday. She has a muscle sprain on the left shin, and trainer Jeremy Braziel lists her as questionable for Missouri. Razorback senior post player Whitney Jones tweaked her ankle early in the Darmouth game and was slowed, but able to continue. Ceira Ricketts’ final minute collision resulted in a hip sprain, but she is also good to go for Missouri.

Comparing statistics, this is a pretty even match-up. Both teams have struggled at the free throw line, although Arkansas saw some relief at the line in its last game. Both shoot in the low 40s from the field, and both are getting significant points from behind the arc. Neither team has a lot of road games, and a similar 1-1 road record.

Arkansas and Missouri each have games with Northwestern. The Razorbacks beat NU at home, 60-44, on Nov. 23. Next game for the Wildcats was Missouri in Evanston, a 69-63 win for Mizzou. Missouri has already played Arkansas’ next opponent, Western Illinois. The Tigers defeated WIU at home, 61-54, back on Nov. 22. Both have a Dakota. Missouri opened the year with a loss to South Dakota State, 55-50, while Arkansas defeated North Dakota, 85-73.

The series with the Tigers stands at 5-3 overall in favor of the Razorbacks, with Arkansas winning the last meeting. The Razorbacks are perfect in Fayetteville, 3-0, but not without some drama. Missouri’s last game at Fayetteville was in the 2000 WNIT, an 89-88 overtime win for Arkansas.

After Sunday, the women’s basketball team breaks until Dec. 29 when they will host Western Illinois.