Daniels dazzles

Freshman scores 27 points to lead No. 23 Arkansas to win.

FAYETTEVILLE — Makayla Daniels showed Thursday night why she was named the state of Maryland’s Miss Basketball last season.

The true freshman’s game-high 27 points led No. 23 Arkansas to a convincing 96-64 victory over Oral Roberts at Bud Walton Arena.

“That was probably about as good as we’ve played yet,” Arkansas coach Mike Neighbors said. “This week was probably as good as we’ve practiced this year as well. If we can continue to be this balanced, we’ve got a chance to be pretty good.”

Alexis Tolefree and Amber Ramirez each tallied 18 points while Chelsea Dungee chipped in 12 for the Razorbacks, who hit 17 of 32 3-pointers on the night.

Daniels, whose previous high was 11, was 6 of 7 from behind the arc. Her career high in high school was 47 points in a state championship game.

“I guess I was kind of feeling it,” Daniels said.

Neighbors detailed Daniels’ recruiting as a mixture of luck and just convincing her of what they were building.

“She had a really good relationship with a former assistant here (Lacy Goldwire) and just happened to want to find out what we were about,” Neighbors

“That was probably about as good as we’ve played yet.

This week was probably as good as we’ve practiced this year as well. If we can continue to be this balanced, we’ve got a chance to be pretty good.”

— Arkansas coach Mike Neighbors

said. “If you go look at the history of Miss Marylands in basketball, they usually go to Maryland, UConn or Notre Dame. So we were certainly glad that we were able to get her.”

Oral Roberts (3-1) was only 2 of 20 from downtown and turned the ball over 15 times, despite having an advantage in the paint in center Montserrat Brotons. She finished with only three points as Taylah Thomas played terrific defense on her inside.

Thomas led Arkansas with 10 rebounds, although she was unable to get into the scoring column.

“She’s going to have nights like that where she gets a ton of rebounds and doesn’t score, like Dennis Rodman used to do,” Neighbors said. “I don’t have a problem with it because there would have been games two years ago where she just forced shots up. She didn’t attempt a field goal.”

Freshman guard Avery Hughes of Bentonville got in at the end and hit two treys, as Neighbors played her out of position.

“She’s going to be lobbying for playing time at the 2 spot now,” Neighbors said. “It was good to see her do that because she’s done it in practice all the time.”

The Razorbacks will be back in action Sunday against Stony Brook. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/ANDY SHUPE Arkansas guard Makayla Daniels (43) drives to the lane Thursday as she is pressured by Oral Roberts guard Rylie Torrey during the first half at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville. Visit nwadg.com/ photos to see more photographs from the game.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/ANDY SHUPE (23) takes a three-point shot Thursday over Oral Roberts guard Sarah Garvie during the first half at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville. Visit nwadg.com/photos to see more photographs from the game.