Izzy Higginbottom's rare struggles doom Arkansas in loss to No. 19 Alabama

For the first time all season, Arkansas guard Izzy Higginbottom was shut down by an opposing defense. 

The senior from Batesville, Arkansas, came into Sunday's contest averaging 24.4 points per game and hadn't been held under 15 points all season. 

It was clear, however, that No. 19 Alabama (17-3, 4-2 SEC) made defending Higginbottom — the leading scorer in an extremely talented Southeastern Conference — a priority in the Crimson Tide's 94-62 win over Arkansas (8-12, 1-4 SEC). 

Higginbottom was held to just five points on 2-of-11 shooting, and while fellow guard Kiki Smith poured in a 23-point effort, it was clear that Higginbottom's struggles on the offensive end were the death knell for Arkansas' chances of winning the game. 

Higginbottom's uncharacteristic offensive output was compounded by the Razorbacks' struggles on the defensive end. After putting up 46 points in the first half, Alabama outscored Arkansas 31-14 in the third quarter. The Crimson Tide retained their sizable advantage throughout the fourth quarter to seal the victory. 

Every star player is bound to eventually have an off-day, but Arkansas can ill afford for Higginbottom to be shut down again. While the Hogs have other options — namely Smith and forward Vera Ojenuwa — they can turn to for scoring purposes, Higginbottom is the undisputed leader of the team and the engine that makes the Razorbacks run smoothly. 

In Arkansas' lone SEC win against Auburn on Jan. 9, Higginbottom scored 36 of Arkansas' 59 points in a thrilling 59-58 victory. In Arkansas' biggest non-conference win of the season against Boston College on Dec. 5, Higginbottom scored 38 en route to a 75-64 victory. 

Needless to say, Arkansas needs Higginbottom to return to form, especially with road contests against Vanderbilt (Jan. 23) and Kentucky (Jan. 26) looming.