by By Mario Bravante, Arkansas Communications
LEXINGTON, Ky. – In a battle of top-15 programs, No. 10 Arkansas (9-2, 0-1) fell to the No. 13 Kentucky Wildcats (8-1, 1-0), 75-64, at Memorial Coliseum on New Years Eve. Arkansas entered the game riding a six-game winning streak while Kentucky was coming off a blowout win on Dec. 19, when they bludgeoned Wofford, 98-37.
The loss was characterized by the Razorbacks’ inability to make the three-ball. Arkansas averages over 10 made threes per game this season, shooting over 38% from behind the arc on the year. But the Hogs managed just five three-pointers, shooting 24% from deep, in Thursday’s losing effort. Despite the season-low point total, four Razorbacks still managed to score in double figures, led by Redshirt senior Chelsea Dungee (Cherokee), who scored 20 points.
TURNING POINT
The Hogs stuck with the Wildcats early on, starting the game on a 10-2 run and trailing by just one at halftime. But Kentucky started a 10-0 run at the end of the third quarter and continued it into the beginning of the fourth, and the Hogs were never able to regain the lead.
Arkansas entered Thursday’s game averaging the most points in the SEC and fifth-most in the country at over 91 per game, but the Hogs struggled to score at the rate they have all season. Dungee was the lone bright spot down the stretch, scoring 12 in the second half and keeping the Razorbacks within striking distance, but a three minute scoring drought to close the game ultimately led to Kentucky’s double-digit win. The Wildcats were led by Rhyne Howard, who scored a game-high 24 points and added 10 rebounds and four assists.
HOG HIGHLIGHTS
- Dungee recorded 20+ points for the fourth time this season.
