DURHAM, N.C. (AP) – In the opening minutes of Saturday's West
Regional against Baylor, Arkansas coach Gary Blair didn't like what
he saw.
|  | | Arkansas' Lonniya Bragg celebrates a first-round victory over Baylor. |
Twice the ball was loose on the floor, but Blair's players were
standing around as Baylor's players dove on the floor.
Blair chewed his players out and Arkansas responded with a 68-59
victory to ruin Baylor's first appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
"The first two plays of the game, we were standing around
reaching for the ball while they were on the floor after the
ball," Blair said. "We had a little revival meeting and they
started to get after it."
Arkansas will face the winner between Duke and
Wisconsin-Milwaukee on Monday.
Arkansas (20-12), which is in tournament for first time since
1998, made just 10 of 35 shots in the first half, including 10
straight misses before the break.
But the Razorbacks stayed close by aggressively playing the
passing lanes. They had 10 steals in the first half and forced 15
turnovers to stay within 33-28 at halftime.
"Arkansas played great defense – they were quick and
anticipated well," said Danielle Crockram, who led Baylor with 19
points and 11 rebounds. "We had way too many turnovers and you
can't do that in this tournament and against a team like
Arkansas."
Lonniya Bragg led Arkansas with 16 points and 14 rebounds. She
had five points during a 15-4 run that put Arkansas up 58-47 with
8:26 left. Amy Wright capped the run with a three-point play on a
layup.
Wright finished with 13 points, seven rebounds and four assists.
Baylor made just 10 of 36 shots in the second half and was
3-for-16 from 3-point range overall. Sheila Lambert had 16 points,
but was 4-for-17 from the field.
"I'm as proud and happy about this basketball team as I had
been winning national championships," said Baylor coach Kim
Mulkey-Robertson, who won titles as a player with Louisiana Tech in
1981 and 1982.
"To watch these kids bond and grow and take this program to new
heights was as enjoyable experience I've had in basketball."
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ALSO SEE
Women's College Basketball Scoreboard
Arkansas Clubhouse
Baylor Clubhouse
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Wendi Willits hits the 3-pointer against the Bears.
avi: 905 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Sheila Lambert puts up an off-balance heave for two.
avi: 833 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Lonniya Bragg shows her leaping ability by making the layup.
avi: 1018 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Amy Wright moves into the lane and nails the layup.
avi: 1308 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
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