Arkansas rallies past Central Arkansas in OT, 89-77

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas improved to 3-0 for the season Monday night by rallying to defeat the Central Arkansas Sugar Bears 89-77 in overtime. It wasn’t easy.

With just 2:37 remaining in regulation and facing a seven-point deficit, the Razorbacks turned things around and dominated the extra period.

Facing a 74-67 disadvantage late in the fourth quarter, junior guard Emily Robinson delivered a corner three-pointer with 12 seconds left to tie the game at 74-74 and force overtime.

In overtime, the Razorbacks outscored the Sugar Bears 15-3 to secure the victory.

Arkansas controlled the tip but missed its first field goal attempt and trailed early in the opening quarter.

The Sugar Bears opened with a 5-0 run before Arkansas answered with back-to-back threes by Robinson and Maria Anais Rodriguez to pull ahead 18-14.

In the second quarter, Central Arkansas reclaimed momentum with three consecutive three-pointers and led 32-26 after a media timeout. Arkansas responded with a 10-0 run to tie the game at 32-32. But the Sugar Bears closed the half on a 7-0 run and built a 41-37 lead at the break.

Arkansas kept grinding in the third quarter despite the Sugar Bears shooting 67 percent in the opening minutes of that stanza. A late three by Jada Bates cut the lead to four heading into the fourth quarter.

Freshman Taleyah Jones sparked a rally with four straight points after having just one earlier. With 5:11 remaining, Arkansas cut the lead to two. Then Central Arkansas extended the lead to seven with 2:22 on the clock.

With 1:21 left, freshman Bonnie Deas drilled a three to bring Arkansas closer, and just seconds later Robinson’s corner three forced overtime.

In overtime, Arkansas asserted its will. The Razorbacks made 8 of 10 free throws and were led by Ware and Rodriguez with six points each in the period.

Deas posted her second straight double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds. It capped a strong opening week where she averaged 18.3 points, 9.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game.

Arkansas shot 36.1 percent (26-72) while Central Arkansas made 39.0 percent (30-77), yet the Razorbacks prevailed thanks to the comeback and overtime surge.

Razorbacks maintain in-state dominance

Arkansas improved to 7-0 all-time against the Sugar Bears and 27-4 against in-state Division I opponents. The Razorbacks are 2-0 this season against in-state foes with wins over UAPB and Central Arkansas.

First-year head coach Kelsi Musick tied the third-best start in program history for a first-year coach with the 3-0 mark. Reflecting on the victory, Musick said the team’s resilience stood out.

“We stayed gritty,” Musick said. “We didn’t ever lose our fight and we didn’t just roll over. We made some big buckets, we made some big free throws, and then we finally started playing intense, intentional, communicative defense.”

Musick’s approach to defense has been a point of emphasis early in her tenure. Her players responded by forcing 18 turnovers, including six in the fourth quarter and overtime combined.

The Razorbacks outscored Central Arkansas 28-15 over the final nine minutes of regulation and overtime combined, showing the composure Musick referenced in her postgame comments.

Up next, Arkansas will host Southeastern Louisiana on Thursday, November 13 at 6:30 p.m. inside Bud Walton Arena. The matchup offers another test before the Razorbacks hit the road later this month.

Key takeaways

• Arkansas overcame a late seven-point deficit to force overtime and prevailed 89-77.

• Bonnie Deas notched 18 points and 12 rebounds in her second straight double-double to lead Arkansas.

• First-year coach Kelsi Musick matched the third-best start by a rookie head coach at Arkansas at 3-0.