Arkansas women's basketball loses heartbreaker to Texas Tech

The Razorbacks were home underdogs going into Sunday's women's college basketball contest between Arkansas and Texas Tech. 

A 6-5 record through the Hogs' first 11 games – which included home losses to Fairfield, Oral Roberts and Bowling Green – inspired little confidence that the Razorbacks could beat the favored Red Raiders, who entered Sunday's game with a 9-2 record. 

But throughout the game, Arkansas stayed within striking distance, even taking the lead at various points in the second half. 

While Texas Tech managed to snag the lead late in the fourth quarter, a poor pass on an in-bounds play gave the Razorbacks one final shot at a game-tying three-pointer. However, Kiki Smith's shot fell short, giving Texas Tech a hard-earned 75-72 road victory in Fayetteville. 

The loss drops Arkansas back to .500 (6-6) and improves the Red Raiders' record to 10-2. 

A 26-point effort from star guard Izzy Higginbottom – who scored 38 for Arkansas in its win over Boston College on Dec. 5 – helped the Razorbacks play one of their best all-around games of the season against Texas Tech. Vera Ojenuwa added 12 points of her own, as did Phoenix Stotijn, who made her collegiate debut in the game. 

Bailey Maupin led the way for Texas Tech with 25 points, with Jasmine Shavers, (18 pts) Maya Peat (10 pts) and Kilah Freelon (10 pts) also found themselves in double figures. 

The Razorbacks have two more non-conference tune-up games on the schedule before SEC play begins in January. The Hogs will tangle with Liberty on Dec. 18 in the Cherokee Classic before returning to Fayetteville on Dec. 29 to play Central Arkansas. Arkansas' first SEC game will take place on Jan. 2, when the Hogs welcome No. 4 LSU to Bud Walton Arena.