Free throws spark UA women in 4th

ARKANSAS 79, TENNESSEE ST. 55

The University of Arkansas outscored Tennessee State 27-7 in the fourth quarter Friday to turn a fourpoint lead into a 79-55 victory in the first game of the Music City Challenge at Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn.

The Razorbacks did most of their damage from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter, going 12 of 18. A layup by Chelsea Dungee gave Arkansas a 61-50 lead with 6:39 left. The lead continued to grow, hitting 21 points after two free throws by Kiara Williams gave the Razorbacks a 76-55 lead with 1:21 remaining.

Arkansas (3-1) shot 40.7 percent (11 of 27) from the floor in the second half and 37.1 percent (23 of 62) for the game while hitting 26 of 38 free throws. The Tigers shot just 25 percent (8 of 32) from the floor in the second half and 27 percent (17 of 63) for the game. They hit 5 of 10 three-pointers and 17 of 26 free throws.

Arkansas won despite being outrebounded 53-41, but the Razorbacks forced 23 Tennessee State turnovers that were turned into 35 points. The Razorbacks outscored the Tigers 30-18 in the lane, 12-11 in second-chance points, 19-2 on the fast break and 26-12 in bench points.

Dungee scored 16 points on 5-of-9 shooting from the floor and 6 of 9 free throws to lead the Razorbacks. Alexis Tolefree had 14 points for Arkansas, Malica Monk had 13 and Bailey Zimmerman added 12. Williams finished with six points and a gamehigh 11 rebounds.

Taylor Roberts scored a game-high 23 points in the loss for the Tigers (0-5). Terrysha Banner chipped in with 10.

NO. 20 TEXAS A&M 97, ARKANSAS STATE 56

Chennedy Carter scored 23 points, N’dea Jones turned in her second consecutive double-double and No. 20 Texas A&M defeated Arkansas State University on Friday in College Station, Texas.

Carter was 10-of-13 shooting, made 3 three-pointers and had 7 assists for the Aggies (4-1), who won their 10th consecutive home game. Jones added 13 points and 13 rebounds, Kayla Wells scored 14 points with 6 assists, Ciera Johnson added 13 points and Aaliyah Wilson had 3 three-pointers and 11 points.

The Aggies shot over 60 percent in each half, outscored the Red Wolves 54-20 in the lane and had a 46-23 rebounding advantage.

The Aggies scored the first 10 points of the game. ASU got within seven early in the second quarter, but a 15-2 run gave the Aggies a 20-point lead that stayed in double figures. The lead reached 43 points in the fourth quarter.

Carter scored 19 points in the first half and played just 26 minutes for the game, the most of any Aggies starter.

The Red Wolves (1-4) were led by Kayla Williams, who had 3 three-pointers and 16 points.