Williams, Watkins lead Arkansas at Vanderbilt

Arkansas (13-4, 1-3 SEC) struggled with several shooting lapses and cold shooting from beyond the arc while Vanderbilt (13-4, 3-1 SEC) was nearly unstoppable from distance.

Williams led the Razorbacks in scoring with 16 points and six boards while Watkins added 10 points and five rebounds late in the game.

"They are a team that executes," Arkansas head coach Tom Collen said. "They did their job and made shots and are hard to stop."

The game started with four quick points from Keira Peak as the Razorback defense was tough in the early minutes. A pair of Vanderbilt turnovers and a missed basket allowed Arkansas to get into a shooting rhythm but the home team took a time out and regrouped.

A 12-0 run by Vanderbilt gave the Commodores the lead as they stretched the advantage to eight, 8-16, by the first media timeout. The Razorbacks got a three from Dominique Robinson and a pair of free throws from freshman Dominique Wilson as they closed the gap, 13-18, by the second media timeout.

Vanderbilt answered with a 7-0 run opening a 10 point lead that they would not surrender. The Razorbacks ran into some cold shooting and allowed the Commodores a pair of big runs as Vanderbilt went to the locker room with a 43-29 lead. Vanderbilt's 43 points was the largest first half opponent total allowed by the Razorbacks all season.

Despite the score, Arkansas had some first half bright spots including eight points from Williams and a close rebounding battle as they trailed Vanderbilt 19-17 on the boards in the first 20 minutes. Arkansas shot 33.3 percent on 12-for-36 from the floor but was just 1-for-7 from three-point range and 4-of-6 from the free throw line.

A good three-point defending team, Arkansas allowed Vanderbilt four threes in the first half. Arkansas scored 16 points in the paint and had 16 points off 11 Vanderbilt turnovers but the scoring droughts wouldn't allow Arkansas to cut into the lead.

Vanderbilt emerged from the locker room and went on an 11-1 run with Calli Berna hitting one free throw for the lone Razorback point in the first five minutes of the frame. The Razorbacks put together a couple of runs in the second half but Vanderbilt was able counter and Arkansas was never able to cut into the lead.

The Commodore guards combined for 37 points and were able to score from long range as well as driving into the lane.

Arkansas did a lot of things right in the game. The Razorbacks took good care of the ball with just 11 turnovers and they matched Vanderbilt on the boards 38-37. Arkansas scored 18 points off turnovers, 30 points in the paint and had 28 bench points - all better than their opponent's numbers. The difference in the game came from distance as Vanderbilt connected on eight three pointers and held Arkansas to one from beyond the arc.

Vanderbilt also made the most of their free throws going 14-for-21 from the line while Arkansas was just 7-for-18.

The Razorbacks continue SEC play at home hosting No.13/12 Georgia Thursday, Jan. 17, in a 7 p.m. tip.

For more information regarding Razorback women's basketball or University of Arkansas athletics, please visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.