Arkansas snaps SEC skid, beats Missouri

Arkansas looked more like the NCAA Tournament it is supposed to be with a win over Missouri.

The Arkansas women’s basketball team put a stop to its 0-2 start in SEC play on Sunday with an 83-73 win over Missouri.

Rylee Langerman had a career high 17 points off the bench as the Razorbacks finished with five players in double figures scoring. Amber Ramirez led the team with 21, going 10 of 11 from the free-throw line.

The Tigers were a dangerous opponent entering the game, having won five straight, including a victory of over then No. 1 South Carolina a couple weeks ago. But Arkansas was never in serious trouble. The Hogs led by as many as 20 points in the second half.

It was a step in the right direction for a team that has visions of an NCAA Tournament berth. But a loss to Vanderbilt, a team picked 14th in the 14-team SEC, before the Missouri game had put a dent into the hopes.

“We took our punches. We learned some valuable, valuable lessons. I know I did as a coach,” Arkansas coach Mike Neighbors said. “I know they did individually. We got a few things fixed, not everything. We’ve still got a lot more work to do, but I’ve got to feel like that was one of our best efforts of the season.”

Arkansas has a week off before South Carolina visits Bud Walton Arena on Thursday.