by By Mario Bravante
COLUMBIA, Mo. – No. 16 Arkansas (14-6, 4-5) held off Missouri (6-7, 2-6) in the latest edition of the Battle Line Rivalry, beating the Tigers, 85-80, in Mizzou Arena Thursday night. Arkansas has now swept the season series against Mizzou two years in a row, as the Hogs also beat Mizzou, 91-88, on Jan. 3 in Fayetteville.
Arkansas guards Destiny Slocum and Chelsea Dungee (Cherokee) poured in two outstanding offensive performances to lead the Razorbacks to the victory. Slocum was simply superb in the win, notching a double-double with 22 points and 10 assists while shooting at an incredibly efficient clip, going 8-13 from the field and 6-8 from deep. Dungee scored a game-high 27 points while grabbing five rebounds in 38 minutes. Amber Ramirez also chipped in with 17 points on 6-11 shooting and four assists.
TURNING POINT
Arkansas got off to a fast start in this one, opening the game on a 13-2 run. The Hogs kept the pressure on in the second quarter thanks to 16 combined points from Dungee and Slocum in the frame. Arkansas took a 45-39 lead to the locker room.
After starting the fourth quarter with a 12 point advantage, Arkansas allowed a quick 9-0 run to the Tigers, and Missouri made its way all the way back to take its second lead of the game with 2:22 to go. Arkansas took the lead right back after a pair of Dungee free throws, though, and Slocum sealed the game with a clutch three-pointer in the game’s final moments. Some solid free throw shooting down the stretch cemented the win for Arkansas as the Razorbacks escaped Columbia with their first conference road win.
HOG HIGHLIGHTS
- Dungee has now scored 20+ points in eight of nine SEC games this year, and has scored in double-figures in 24 straight games.
