Women’s Basketball Team Aims to Get on Track After Losses
Head coach Tom Collen addresses the media Tuesday outlining the keys to success against the Georgia Bulldogs Thursday night at Bud Walton Arena. (Photo by Emily Rhodes)
After being ranked No. 23 with a 12-1 record going into conference play, the Razorback women’s basketball team has gone 1-3 in the Southeastern Conference. The Hogs are looking to turn their season back around when they host the No. 13 Georgia Bulldogs Thursday.
Georgia is 26-4 all-time against Arkansas.
“We’re not concerned about that,” senior forward Quistelle Williams said. “We’re excited to play a ranked team; we’re hoping for the upset.”
“Them being ranked doesn’t mean anything to us. We’re just going to play our game,” sophomore point guard Calli Berna added.
The Razorbacks lost two road games to Vanderbilt and then-No. 24 Auburn in addition to one home loss to No. 20 Texas A&M.
“We really didn’t do anything great against Vanderbilt,” head coach Tom Collen said. “We have to do everything better if we’re going to beat Georgia.”
Coming off a 20-point loss at Vanderbilt Sunday, the Razorbacks have been hard at work in practice this week to prepare for Georgia. They took the day off from working on the court on Monday in order to restore some energy and have time to watch some film. Collen said they had a good practice Tuesday and will be working hard Wednesday as well.
The Georgia game Thursday is the only game for the Hogs this week. They will have the weekend off after that.
“I want to get a win against to set the tone for our bye weekend,” Collen said.
Collen also said he is counting on the crowd at Bud Walton Arena to provide some energy for his players Thursday night.
“Every game you play in the SEC is a challenge and every win you get is a big one,” Collen said.
A victory over No. 13 Georgia would be the biggest for the Hogs this season. Their biggest win of the season is against now-No. 23 Kansas.
“A win against Georgia would let people know that we are here to win,” Berna said.
Georgia is known for their big players, successful point guard and ability to get points on the board.
“They have a lot of talent, they’re long, their point guard is one of the best in the league and they know how to score,” Berna said of the Bulldogs. “We’re going to have to stop that.”
“We have to hassle them,” Williams said.
After Thursday’s game at 7 p.m. against Georgia, the Razorbacks travel to Columbia, Mo., for a matchup with the Tigers next Thursday.
