Arkansas women expecting earful from fans in opener

FAYETTEVILLE — No matter what happens in the Arkansas’ women’s basketball team’s opener against Sam Houston State today, there figures to be plenty of screaming in Walton Arena.

The Razorbacks play the Bearkats at 11 a.m. on Elementary School Day, which is expected to draw more 3,000 boys and girls from 18 area schools.

“Always a great day for us,” Arkansas Coach Tom Collen said. “You get a bunch of loud, young, screaming kids into the gym. Sometimes they don’t know what they’re screaming about, but we know that they’re pulling for the Razorbacks.”

Junior point guard Calli Berna had 22 points in last season’s opener to lead the Razorbacks over Jackson State 97-55 on Elementary School Day.

“The kids yell for just about anything,” Berna said. “You miss a shot and they still yell. It’s just an exciting atmosphere, and it makes us want to put a show on for them.”

Berna is a returning starter from Arkansas’ WNIT team last season along with senior forward Keira Peak and junior forward Jashmin Bowen. They’ll be joined in today’s lineup by two freshmen, forward Jessica Jackson and guard McKenzie Adams.

Jackson, from Jacksonville, led the Razorbacks with 14 points and nine rebounds in their 70-61 exhibition victory over Missouri Southern on Sunday. Adams had 12 points.

“I think they’re both pretty confident,” Collen said of the Jackson and Adams. “I think the exhibition game probably gives them a little bit of a boost.

“They know they can play better, but to get a couple of freshmen to come in and play 25 minutes and score in double digits, I think that’s a pretty good start for them.”

Jackson hit 5 of 14 shots in the exhibition game, including 2 of 3 three-pointers.

“She can get shots from so many places on the floor within the design of our offense,” Collen said. “We like her versatility. She can play outside, she can play inside. She’s going to rebound and get some points that way. She can put it on the floor a little bit.”

B erna said it’s good that Jackson isn’t hesitant about shooting.

“I think she’s responding well to knowing that we need her,” Berna said. “We’ve established that. I think that gives her a little confidence, knowing she can hit the first shot of the game and we’re fine with that. “That’s what we need.” Arkansas is looking to improve on a 36-1 record in home openers. The Razorbacks’ only loss in a home opener came to No. 2 Louisiana Tech during the 1983-1984 season.

“That’s an imposing record,” Collen said. “It’s always good to play at home.”