Razorbacks Host Bulldogs In Midweek Matchup

Game Notes | Listen | Watch | Live Scoring | Bus Trip to Missouri State | Home Game Tickets

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas women’s basketball team closes out a brief two-game home stand with Butler on Wednesday night in Bud Walton Arena. The game is set for a 7 p.m. tip on the SEC Network Plus.

Arkansas improved to 8-0 with a 66-60 win over Texas Tech on Saturday in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge. Jessica Jackson led three scorers in double figures with 14 points, followed by Aaliyah Wilson and Malica Monk with 11 points each. The 11-point scoring effort was a career best for Wilson, the program’s second McDonald’s All-American.

The Razorbacks had 15 assists on 24 made field goals and committed just nine turnovers, while also outrebounding the Lady Raiders by a 52-39 margin.

Arkansas has won the rebounding battle in seven of eight games this season. They rank among the best in the nation in rebounding margin, out-boarding opponents by 12.1 rebounds per game. The Razorbacks also rank among the nation’s leaders in turnovers, averaging just 13.0 miscues per game.

Butler (2-6) is another familiar opponent for Arkansas. The Razorbacks are 2-1 all-time against the Bulldogs and host Butler for the second time in program history.

The Opponent
Arkansas will face Butler for the second consecutive season and the fourth time in school history. Arkansas leads the all-time series 2-1 and won the lone meeting in Fayetteville during the 1992-93 season. The two teams met this past season in Indianapolis, with Butler winning 63-57.

Butler went 10-21 overall and 4-14 in league play, finishing in ninth place in the Big East regular-season standings last year.

Picked to finish eighth in the Big East preseason coaches’ poll, Butler is off to a 2-6 start with home wins over Bradley and Fort Wayne; home losses to ETSU, UCF, South Florida and Ball State; and road losses to Wisconsin and TCU.

The Bulldogs have three players averaging double figures, led by freshman Kristen Spolyar, who averages 14.3 points per game. The team’s leading scorer from last season, Tori Schickel, is averaging a double-double with 14.0 points per game and 10.8 rebounds per game. Michelle Weaver also averages 11.7 points per game.

Notable
• Arkansas has the best winning percentage in the SEC, the sixth-best in the nation, between its men’s and women’s basketball programs with a combined 14-1 record (.933 winning percentage).
• Arkansas defeated Texas Tech 66-60, to improve to 2-1 all-time in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge, and also help the SEC to a 6-4 record in this season’s event.
• Arkansas is 24-10 in home games under head coach Jimmy Dykes. That mark includes a 5-0 record this season and an all-time 14-4 record in nonconference home games.
• Arkansas is one of three remaining undefeated teams in the SEC and one of 19 remaining undefeated teams in NCAA Division I. The other undefeated SEC teams are Mississippi State (8-0) and Alabama (7-0).
• Arkansas is looking to avenge its second loss from last season, having already defeated Tulsa 57-50, after falling to the Golden Hurricane 74-67 in 2015-16.
• Arkansas has used the same starting five for each of the first eight games: Malica Monk, Jailyn Mason, Jessica Jackson, Bailey Zimmerman and Alecia Cooley.
• Jessica Jackson has scored in double figures in each of the first eight games this season. She is averaging a team-best 16.4 points per game, which ranks eighth in the SEC.
• Arkansas has won the rebounding battle in seven of the first eight games this season, improving to 30-7 when outrebounding its opponents under head coach Jimmy Dykes.
• Arkansas ranks third in the SEC and 15th in the nation in rebound margin, outrebounding opponents by 12.1 rebounds per game.
• Arkansas ranks second in the SEC and 18th in the nation in turnovers, committing just 13.0 per game.
• Arkansas is off to an 8-0 start for the first time under head coach Jimmy Dykes and the first time since the 2013-14 season, when the Razorbacks won its first 13 games

Looking Ahead
Arkansas returns to the road, traveling to Missouri State on Sunday, Dec. 11, before closing out nonconference play with three straight home games against Northwestern State (Dec. 18), Oral Roberts (Dec. 21) and Houston Baptist (Dec. 28).

Fans are invited to join the Razorbacks on the road with a day trip to Springfield, Missouri on Sunday, Dec. 11. The fan bus trip is just $15 per person and includes transportation to and from Fayetteville plus a ticket to the game. The bus will depart the northwest corner of Baum Stadium west parking lot at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 11 and return immediately following the game. More details will be emailed to those who register, including a release form.

Reserve your spot now by clicking here. The deadline to purchase is Friday, Dec. 9 at 3 p.m. and limited to the first 50 registrants.

Arkansas begins SEC play on the road against Ole Miss on New Year’s Day.

To order tickets for the 2016-17 season, click here or call the Razorback Ticket Center at 800-982-HOGS (4647) or 479-575-5151.

For more information on Arkansas women’s basketball, follow @RazorbackWBB on Twitter.