by By Mario Bravante
NASSAU, Bahamas – No. 25 Arkansas Women’s Basketball (7-1) wouldn’t be denied in its final game at the Bahamas Hoopfest, as the Hogs stormed back from 11 points down to beat Wisconsin (5-2), 68-64. The Razorbacks were exceptional in the fourth from deep, going five of six from distance in the final frame.
Redshirt junior guard Chelsea Dungee (Cherokee) led the charge once again for Head Coach Mike Neighbors’ squad, going for a game-high 27 points. However, senior guard Alexis Tolefree stole the show down the stretch, scoring all 12 of her points in the fourth quarter to key the Arkansas comeback. Redshirt junior guard Amber Ramirez was also great in the win, going for 15 points (5-10 3PT), six of which came in the fourth.
TURNING POINT
The Hogs closed the gap several times in the game, shaving the lead down to two entering the halftime break. Wisconsin would respond, though, stretching the lead back out to as much as eight in the fourth period.
At that point, Tolefree took over. Her first three points of the game would make it 54-51 Badgers. After a technical foul, and two free throws from Dungee, Tolefree hit another three from the opposite corner to put the Hogs up 56-54.
The Badgers would have their chances late in the game, but the three-point shooting from Tolefree and Ramirez proved too much to overcome. Arkansas’ defense tightened up down the stretch, too, as Dungee drew a critical offensive foul with under 30 seconds to play and the team forced a miss on the next possession after Tolefree split a pair of freebies. Tolefree would ice the game at the line after that, making both to make it 68-64.
HOG HIGHLIGHTS
- Dungee, Ramirez and junior forward Taylah Thomas were named to the All-Tournament Team following their performances in Nassau.
- It was Dungee’s fourth straight game scoring at least 20 points, and her 27 in the game matched a Razorback season-high (Daniels, 27, Oral Roberts, 11/14/19).
