Williams perfect for Arkansas women in exhibition win

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas junior Kiara Williams had a perfect shooting night Thursday to pace the Razorback women’s basketball team to a 101-46 win over East Central in exhibition action in Bud Walton Arena.

Williams was 5-for-5 from the floor and 6-for-6 from the free throw line to finish with 16 points. She was one rebound shy of a double-double, grabbing nine boards in 20 minutes of play.

The victory is the second consecutive exhibition win and the second in which Arkansas has scored more than 100 points.

Senior Malica Monk led Arkansas in scoring with 18 points followed by Williams with 16 points. A’Tyanna Gaulden added 12 points and Chelsea Dungee had 10 points rounded out the Razorbacks in double figures. The good shooting night was highlighted by an exhibition record 13 3-point field goals.

Malvern alum Raven Northcross-Baker was fifth on the team in scoring with nine points in 17 minutes. She was 3-for-7 shooting from the floor, including 3-for-6 from 3-point. Northcross-Baker also made two rebounds and two steals.

Head coach Mike Neighbors was even more impressed by the team’s defense. The Razorbacks held East Central to 46 points, the fifth lowest opponent exhibition point total in program history.

Arkansas will open the regular season at Bud Walton Arena against Northwestern State at 10:30 a.m. for Elementary Day.