Arkansas’ women face tall task in SEC opener

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas’ women’s basketball team has a tall order to fill as it opens Southeastern Conference play tonight at 6 p.m. in Bud Walton Arena against two-time NCAA runner-up Mississippi State.

The Razorbacks (11-3) will take on the top-ranked team in the SEC as they host the No. 7/6 Lady Bulldogs (12-1) on the SEC Network (Resort Channel 79).

Wrapping up nonconference play with 11 wins, the Razorbacks are ahead of where head coach Mike Neighbors thought they might be at this point, adding a lot of offense to its lineup this season, and the team’s scoring is up from a year ago.

While the team had just two players a year ago to handle the majority of the team’s scoring, Neighbors has more scorers this season.

Redshirt sophomore Chelsea Dungee, senior Malica Monk and junior college transfer Alexis Tolefree lead the Razorbacks’ stat charts, but senior Raven Northcross-Baker, sophomore transfer A’Tyanna Gaulden, junior Jailyn Mason and senior Bailey Zimmerman also have the ability to score quickly, creating several outlets for the team to produce and cause havoc for opponents.

The Lady Bulldogs opens its SEC season after putting up over 100 points in six of their first 13 games. Four players are averaging double-digits with Teaira McCowan leading the way with 16.7 points and 12.5 rebounds per contest.

In addition to the scoring prowess, Mississippi State brings a height advantage with seven players listed at 6-1 or taller. McCowan at 6-7 and Promise Taylor and Jessika Carter at 6-5 are among the tallest players the Razorbacks will face all season.