by By Jeri Thorpe, UA
GREENVILLE, S.C. – University of Arkansas junior Chelsea Dungee (Cherokee Nation) scored 31 points leading five Razorbacks in double figures in an 86-76 win over Georgia in the second round of the SEC Tournament in Greenville, South Carolina, on Thursday.
Dungee’s 31 points is her fourth game with 30 or more points and she was joined in double figures by Alexis Tolefree (13), Kiara Williams and Jailyn Mason (12) and Malica Monk (10). Arkansas (18-13) moves on to face No. 12 South Carolina (21-8) in the quarterfinal game at 5 p.m. Friday.
Arkansas came out of the gates on fire getting an early 6-0 run to take the lead over Georgia (18-12) in the first quarter. It was the first of four Razorback runs of five points or more in the game. Arkansas led by as much as 12 points, but Georgia rallied late and closed to five points, 25-20, at the end of the frame.
The second quarter was the turning point for Arkansas. The Razorbacks outscored the Bulldogs, 23-15, in the stanza opening a 13-point lead at the break. Georgia cut the Razorback advantage to single digits three times in the fourth quarter but never got closer than eight points.
Dungee went 10-for-12 from the line, outscoring Georgia (5-for-11) from the bonus stripe. She scored 31 points in 36 minutes in the win.
The Razorbacks next face the Gamecocks in the quarterfinals. It is the second time Arkansas has reached the quarterfinals since the SEC expanded to 14 teams. The meeting with South Carolina is the second of the season and the fourth time these teams have faced each other in SEC Tournament. South Carolina rallied in the fourth quarter in the regular season meeting for an 87-79 win in Fayetteville.
The game tips at 5 p.m. central and airs live on the SEC Network.
