Date: Monday, March 20th
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Live Stream: SEC Network+
Location: Fayetteville, Arkansas
Stadium: Bud Walton Arena
Series: 12th Meeting (ARK leads 8-3)
FAYETTEVILLE, AR – The Stephen F. Austin women’s basketball program moves on to the 2nd Round of the WNIT and will take on the University of Arkansas on their home court. Winner of this game will take on the winner of Texas Tech and SMU.
A Look at the Ladyjacks
The Ladyjacks are coming off a 89-79 win against Texas State where Jordan Harrison scored a career-high of 28 points, her second consecutive game of scoring more points than her previous career-best.
SFA is 8-3 on away games this year, proving they can get the job done on the road just as good as at home. The Ladyjacks haven’t lost a road game in a month as their last defeat occurred in Cedar City, Utah against Southern Utah on February 18th.
Aiyana Johnson continues to be the lead scorer for the Ladyjacks, averaging 13.9 points per game. She makes a little over half of her shots at 54.4% from the field which is first in the WAC and 35th in the country. Johnson also is a forced to be reckoned with on the defensive side as she also leads the team with 36 blocks.
Skip Ad Harrison has been a major contributor to the Ladyjacks’ offense, especially after posting 20+ points in her last two games. She’s up to 12.1 points per game and carries the best free-throw percentage on the team with 82.2%. Harrison also knows when to pass the ball to the open player as she leads the conference in assists with 166.
Avery Brittingham is a threat to record a double-double every game as she averages 10.6 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. Her 266 total rebounds this year have helped her get to 7 double-double’s on the year.
A Look at the Razorbacks
The Razorbacks head into the match with a 22-12 record in the season, 7-9 in SEC play. Arkansas is 12-4 at home so expect the home crowd to play a big factor in the 2nd Round match against the Ladyjacks.
The Razorbacks are coming off a dominating 69-47 win against Louisiana Tech in Round One. They had a very similar first quarter to the Ladyjacks as they outscored LA Tech 15-3 in the first ten minutes, allowing just one shot from the field in 15 attempts. By the end of the game, Arkansas held LA Tech to a field goal percentage of 27.69% and allowed only one shot from beyond the arc in 13 attempts. While the defense held their ground, the Razorback offense wasn’t as flashy as they wished it to be. The Razorbacks shot 38.71% from the field and 28.57% from beyond the arc. Their lone bright spot was from the free-throw line where they shot 86.87%.
Erynn Barnum leads the scoring for Arkansas, averaging 15.6 points per game and recording a 56% field goal percentage. Barnum will play a ket factor in this game as she averages 6.3 rebounds per game. leading the Razorbacks.
Chrissy Carr has taken the most shots from deep for Arkansas and leads the team in three-point percentage with 34% (81-for-237). Carr also is the most effective from the free-throw line at 85%.
Outside of the Razorbacks’ starting-five who all average more than eight points per game, the Arkansas bench doesn’t prove to be as productive as most other benches. The highest scoring bench player for the razorbacks averages 3.8 points per game. Arkansas heavily depends on the production of their starting-five.
The Razorbacks are not afraid to take the shots when possible, the struggle is making those shots count. The team combines for a 40% field goal percentage and a 30% three-point percentage.