Arkansas women’s basketball is set to face No. 6 LSU in Baton Rouge on Thursday, January 29 at the Maravich Assembly Center. The game will tip off at 7:00 p.m. and be streamed live on SECN+ with Lyn Rollins and Victor Howell providing commentary.
This matchup marks the 57th meeting between Arkansas and LSU since the Razorbacks joined the SEC in the 1991-92 season. LSU has won the last four games in this series, including two consecutive victories in Baton Rouge. Arkansas last defeated LSU on the road in 2021.
The Razorbacks, currently holding an 11-10 record overall and still seeking their first SEC win under head coach Kelsi Musick, have faced a challenging schedule that included four straight ranked opponents to start conference play. Seven of their first ten SEC opponents are ranked in this week’s AP top 25.
Bonnie Deas has recorded 192 rebounds so far this season, placing her fifth in the SEC and among the top players nationally. As a team, Arkansas ranks third in the SEC and eighth nationally with an average of 44 rebounds per game. Taleyah Jones is averaging 16.4 points per game, which puts her tenth in the SEC.
In their most recent game, Arkansas extended its losing streak to seven after falling to Georgia, despite starting strong with a seven-point lead after the first quarter. Bonnie Deas contributed her first double-double of SEC play with 17 points and 10 rebounds.
LSU leads Division I women’s basketball in several categories including bench points per game (42.2), rebound margin (19.4), offensive rebounds per game (18.4), scoring margin (42.2), and scoring offense (99). The Tigers are aiming for their twentieth win of the season under coach Kim Mulkey.
Earlier this season, Arkansas secured two wins at the Music City Classic in Nashville against Drake and Southern Illinois, with guard Taleyah Jones being named MVP after scoring a combined 38 points across both games.
Taleyah Jones leads Arkansas’ scoring efforts through 21 games this year and has been recognized for her performance throughout her collegiate career, including honors during her time at Oral Roberts before transferring to Arkansas.
Head coach Kelsi Musick is notable as Arkansas women’s basketball’s first female head coach since Susie Gardner held the position from 2003-2007. The roster features several other firsts: Danika Galea is the program’s first player from Malta; Aisha Hassan is its first Egyptian player; Ashlynn Chlarson is its first Arizonan player.
The program will mark its fiftieth season during the upcoming year, having accumulated nearly nine hundred wins since its founding in 1976.
Freshman Bonnie Deas earned recognition as SEC Freshman of the Week earlier this season and stands out among national freshmen for both scoring and rebounding averages. This summer she helped lead Australia to a silver medal at the FIBA U-19 Women’s World Cup, earning All-Star Five team honors.
Arkansas added eight newcomers for this season—five transfers and three freshmen—including Maria Anais Rodriguez from Oklahoma State who also competed internationally for Spain; Wyvette Mayberry from Kansas; Ashlynn Chlarson from Eastern Arizona CC; Emily Robinson from Oral Roberts; along with Harmonie Ware, Aisha Hassan, and Bonnie Deas as part of Coach Musick’s signing class.
Four Razorbacks participated internationally during FIBA events over the summer: Bonnie Deas represented Australia at U-19 Worlds; Cristina Sanchez Cerqueira played for Spain’s U-20 EuroBasket gold-winning team; Maria Anais Rodriguez contributed to Spain’s bronze at U-19 EuroBasket; Danika Galea played for Malta at FIBA Europe Cup qualifiers.
Musick’s staff includes new assistant coaches Brad Johnson—formerly of Farmington High School—and Alex Furr from SMU. Other additions are Greg Gilman as Director of On-Court Development and Carter Mumm as Video Coordinator. Returning staff include assistants Lacey Goldwire, Nick Bradford, and longtime Director of Operations Amber Shirey.
Following Thursday’s contest against LSU, Arkansas will host No. 18 Kentucky on Sunday, February 1 at Bud Walton Arena.
For updates on Arkansas women’s basketball, follow @RazorbackWBB on social media.
