Arkansas downs Louisiana Tech in WNIT
FAYETTEVILLE – Arkansas led wire-to-wire on their way to a 69-47 victory over Louisiana Tech in the first round of the Postseason WNIT Thursday night.
Arkansas (22-12) held the Lady Techsters (19-13) to just three points in the first quarter, a season-low defensively in a quarter, which set the tone for the Razorbacks in the victory.
In a game where Arkansas led by as many as 23 points, Chrissy Carr led the way with 17 points.
Samara Spencer also had a great night to capture her second career double-double with 14 points and a career-high 11 assists.
The Razorbacks are now 8-0 in opening round Postseason WNIT games.
Keiunna Walker led Louisiana Tech with 16 points along with six rebounds.
Anna Larr Roberson added 10 points and nine rebounds.
Arkansas led 15-3 at the end of the first quarter, jumping out to a 9-2 lead on a trio of 3-pointers.
Arkansas' defense held Louisiana Tech to just 1-for15 from the field in the opening stanza.
After Saylor Poffenbarger knocked down a 3-pointer, Arkansas’ fifth of the game, Louisiana Tech went on a 10-2 run while the Razorbacks were held in a scoring drought for over two minutes.
Arkansas led 24-17 with less than five minutes left in the quarter, but Maryam Dauda dug the Razorbacks out of the hole with a jumper to start a 9-0 run and followed that up with a layup off a pass from Carr, who then knocked down a 3-pointer on Arkansas’ next possession.
Carr made two freebies before the half, as Arkansas led 35-21 at intermission. Arkansas held a 48-37 edge going into the fourth quarter.
Arkansas came up empty on its first two possessions in the fourth quarter, but Carr delivered with a triple. Erynn Barnum then got to work, delivering three of the Razorbacks’ next four baskets. With a 6-0 run, LA Tech took a timeout, as Arkansas led, 59-40 with 6:28 left in the game.
The Razorbacks closed the game on an 8-3 run and outscored the Lady Techsters 21-10 in the final quarter.
Arkansas hosts Stephen F. Austin in the second round on Monday. Stephen F. Austin knocked off Texas State 89-79 to advance.
Game time is set for 7 p.m.