Senior watchman Chelsea Dungee scored 37 focuses and the No. 19 Arkansas ladies’ ball group upset No. 3 UConn 90-87 on Thursday in Fayetteville.
It was the Huskies’ first loss of the period, and the second misfortune for a main five ladies’ program Thursday. Prior, No. 2 NC State fell 83-71 in extra time at Virginia Tech.
Arkansas mentor Mike Neighbors said the height of 11-time public victor UConn is with the end goal that it’s hard for adversaries not to feel like they’re following even before the game beginnings.
“There’s such countless equals to – it will be a particularly terrible banality – yet the film ‘Marvel,'” Neighbors said, referring to the film wherein the dark horse U.S. men’s hockey group vanquished the Soviet Union in transit to the gold award in the 1980 Winter Olympics. “UConn, they don’t generally get an opportunity to see their own blood, since they’re not in many close games. We just felt like on the off chance that we could keep it close, and stick around … we have been in so numerous [close games].”
Indeed, the Razorbacks just lost a heartbreaker Monday, when No. 22 Georgia won 77-75 on a very late shot.
“These children are somewhat calloused,” Neighbors said of his players. “However long [a loss] doesn’t destroy you, it will assemble a little hard on you. I think we actually feel we have stuff to demonstrate.”
It was only the second gathering among UConn and Arkansas; the previously was a Huskies triumph in November 1998. Thursday’s down wasn’t initially planned, yet the two groups were hoping to add a game after COVID-19-related undoings. They reported on Jan. 20 they would play one another.
“I’m appreciative they played this game,” Neighbors said. “[Geno Auriemma] might have effortlessly said no. In any case, that is the reason they’re a title program, and we took in a ton from them today that will extend.”
Dungee was 13-of-21 from the field and 7-of-10 from the free toss line. Arkansas had six players out as a result of COVID-19 conventions, however the entirety of their starters were accessible. Gatekeeper Amber Ramirez had 22 focuses for the Razorbacks (12-6).
“It was one of those sentiments … I don’t have a clue about the words. I’m simply so glad for our program,” Dungee said. “I understood what a major chance it was for our group. I needed to come at it with however much energy as could be expected to fuel our group. Our entire group had an incredible game. It was only a colossal win.”
UConn was driven by first year recruit Paige Bueckers’ 27 focuses. She didn’t play in the group’s triumph over Georgetown on Saturday in the wake of enduring a hyper-extended lower leg in a success against Tennessee on Jan. 21. Evina Westbrook added 19 focuses and seven bounce back for the Huskies (10-1).
“I thought Evina was great the entire game; that is the best I’ve seen her play since she’s been at Connecticut,” Auriemma said of the main year UConn player who moved out of Tennessee. “Paige assumed control over the game for an extended length. At the point when you’re attempting to return that way, you need more from more individuals. Also, we simply needed something more. Yet, surely those two were far in excess of what we required them to be.”
