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Arkansas races past HarvardROB KEYSARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE After eight practices in 10 days without a game, Arkansas guard Dana Cherry had some definite ideas about what she wanted to accomplish in Thursday night's contest against Harvard. "I brought a lot of energy and practiced hard every day," said Cherry, a sophomore from Pine Bluff. "I was like, 'I want to pick up my game. I want to pick up my game. I want to score more points. I want to play a lot of defense and try to be more aggressive.' " Mission accomplished. Cherry scored a career-high 23 points and grabbed six rebounds Thursday night as Arkansas ran past Harvard 87-48 before 2,274 at Alltel Arena. Arkansas (7-3), which won its sixth consecutive game, also got 15 points from Wendi Willits and 13 points and a career-high 5 steals from Lonniya Bragg. Cherry, whose previous high this season was 14 points in a loss at Memphis, scored nine points in a span of 2:20 as Arkansas stretched a 38-22 halftime lead to 51-28. Cherry's spurt included a 15-foot jump shot and three layups, the last of which was part of a three-point play. "I was pleased with the way Cherry played, obviously," Arkansas Coach Gary Blair said. "Cherry took the ball to the rack and softened up the defense. A lot of people can take it to the rack, but she can take it to the rack and finish." Harvard (1-10), which lost 75-66 to UALR on Wednesday night at Alltel Arena, was no match for an Arkansas team that took full advantage of its superior depth and athletic ability. The Lady Razorbacks scored 37 points off 30 Crimson turnovers. Harvard committed 21 turnovers in the first half. "We've done the Arkansas scene and it's time for a break, a big break," Harvard Coach Kathy Delaney-Smith said. "We've got a lot of little kinks to work out." Arkansas scored the first four points of the game and never trailed. Melissa Johnson converted a layup to get Harvard within 7-4, but Arkansas countered with an 13-0 run. Bragg started the spurt with two free throws, and Cherry capped it with a putback that gave Arkansas a 20-8 lead with 12:06 left in the first half. Harvard pulled as close as 22-18 with 9:07 left in the half after consecutive baskets by Tricia Tubridy. But Shameka Christon made a 17-footer 46 seconds later, and Arkansas scored the next 12 points to push the lead to 36-18 with 3:08 to play in the half. Harvard had four turnovers during that same span. "We created a lot of opportunities today just because of our harassing defense," Blair said. The Lady Razorbacks led 38-22 at halftime and were not challenged in the second half. "I think [Blair] has the ability to go into the [NCAA] Tournament and get some things done like he did a few years ago," Delaney-Smith said. "I don't know about his size inside versus to the rest of the SEC, but he's got all kind of scorers. "They've got speed, they're well-coached, they connect with each other." After Cherry's three-point play gave Arkansas a 51-28 lead, the Lady Razorbacks steadily increased their advantage and took their first 30-point lead on two Shanna Harmon free throws with 13:25 remaining. Harvard never pulled closer than 24 points the rest of the way, and Arkansas gave itself a 30-point cushion for good when Little Rock senior Celia Anderson made a free throw for a 77-47 lead with 5:31 to play. Anderson made 7 of 8 free throws and finished with 9 points. "When she plays that power game, she's adding up fouls on the other team, and that's what we have to have in the [SEC]," Blair said. One of the few lowlights for Arkansas was giving up 18 offensive rebounds. Even though the Lady Razorbacks had 20 offensive rebounds, Blair said special attention will be paid to rebounding when the team resumes practice Tuesday.
Halftime -- Arkansas 38, Harvard 22 Technical fouls -- None Officials -- Kennedy, Morris, Day Attendance -- 2,27 "When we can go out there and be that athletic and play that well, that's fine," Blair said. "But if you give up 18 offensive boards, you're not going to win many ballgames. "There wasn't a player that blocked out the whole night, probably on either team." Arkansas returns to action Dec. 28, when it plays host to Western Kentucky at 7 p.m. Central at Walton Arena in Fayetteville.
This article was published on December 22, 2000RETURN to main page
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