Arkansas
Defense powers offense in Arkansas basketball’s win over Lipscomb to begin Calipari era
FAYETTEVILLE — John Calipari wanted to coach a more physical, defensive-minded team this year with Arkansas basketball, ditching some of the fragilities that cost him over the final chapters at Kentucky.
The Razorbacks have only played one regular season game in the Calipari era, but they’re off to a strong start in providing their new head coach with what he’s seeking.
No. 16 Arkansas (1-0) knocked off Lipscomb 76-60 Wednesday night in its season-opener. The Hogs forced 19 turnovers and held the Bisons (1-1) 22.1 points shy of their season average from last year. Lipscomb shot 37.1% from the field after shooting 52.1% in its first game of the new campaign Monday night.
“If you can guard the ball and you’re not in a bunch of rotations, you’re going to be pretty good,” Calipari said. “If you can guard the ball — are you ready for this statement — occupy your man’s eyes, we’ve got all these guys behind you that will block shots.”
Arkansas’ half-court offense struggled in moments throughout Wednesday night’s win, but nothing was working early on. Lipscomb jumped out to a 17-12 lead midway through the first half.
That’s when Arkansas ratcheted up its defensive pressure — even mixing in a full-court press — carving out an 11-0 run that was powered getting out in transition and forcing turnovers.
“Kenny Payne, he always says defense is our offense, so we once we get a few stops, we can go on our offensive run,” Arkansas guard Johnell Davis said.
Just as he did after each of the preseason exhibitions, Calipari dished out some postgame praise for Davis’ work on the defensive end. The FAU transfer finished with 15 points and forced two turnovers. Only freshman Boogie Fland had more points with 17.
But forcing turnovers is only the first part of the equation. Arkansas was able to successfully turn those extra possessions into made baskets, scoring 25 points off turnovers and 23 fast-break points.
“What we didn’t do down at TCU, they refused to throw it ahead because the guy wants, ‘I’m going to start this’,” Calipari said. “No. Boom, bang and let’s see what happens. Get the ball to the other side and we’ll play.”
And Arkansas’ defense has another gear it can reach. Tennessee transfer Jonas Aidoo only played seven minutes against Lipscomb in his return from injury. Aidoo was a member of the SEC’s All-Defensive Team last year and will be the paint protector for the Hogs this winter.
The hope is that the Hogs’ offense catches up in the coming weeks. Arkansas went 4 of 19 on 3-pointers and coughed up 12 turnovers.
But when the going got tough as Lipscomb cut the deficit to 60-56 with 7:47 remaining, Arkansas fed Zvonimir Ivišić the basketball, and the 7-foot-2 center responded with a personal 8-1 run to stretch the lead back to double figures. It stated with a 3-pointer before Ivišić scored on a pair of post-ups.
That’s a building block for the Arkansas offense moving forward, but in the very early stages of this new era, defense seems to be the foundation.
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – No. 5 National Seed Arkansas Razorbacks’ historic season came to an end on Friday night with an 11-0 (5 inn.) loss to UCLA at the Women’s College World Series inside Devon Park.
With the loss, Arkansas finished its season with a 47-13 record that culminated in the program’s first Women’s College World Series berth. The Hogs’ 47 wins were the second-most in program history, trailing only the 2022 team’s 48-11 overall record.
Tianna Bell, Atalyia Rijo, and Kailey Wyckoff all recorded base hits for Arkansas in the loss. Wyckoff and Karlie Davison both drew walks. Payton Burnham (14-4) took the loss for Arkansas after allowing four runs on three hits in 1.1 innings of work.
Taylor Tinsley (33-7) took the win for UCLA, pitching five shutout innings while striking out two and allowing three hits and two walks.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Payton Burnham made her 19th start of the season for Arkansas, while UCLA went with senior Taylor Tinsley.
In the top of the first inning, Atalyia Rijo had a hand in all three outs of a 1-2-3 frame that featured a pair of groundouts and a popout. Tinsley responded with a 1-2-3 inning herself, courtesy of a strikeout, flyout, and lineout in the home half of the first inning.
Aleena Garcia gave UCLA a 1-0 lead with a lead-off solo home run to dead center field in the top of the second inning. Kaniya Bragg got hit by a pitch, and Alexis Ramirez singled before Soo-Jin Berry made it a 4-0 game with a three-run home run to left field. Following Ramirez’s homer, Saylor Timmerman entered in relief for Arkansas. Megan Grant later extended the Bruins’ lead to 7-0 by way of a three-run home run to center field, her 42nd of the season. Senior LHP Robyn Herron entered with two runners on and two outs in the inning. UCLA extended its lead to 9-0 courtesy of a two-RBI double off the top of the wall in right field by Bragg.
In the bottom of the second inning, Karlie Davison became the first baserunner of the game for Arkansas after reaching on a two-out walk. She later advanced to second base on a single from Atalyia Rijo. Kailey Wyckoff later walked to load the bases, but UCLA would escape with a flyout to get out of the inning.
In the top of the third inning, Herron registered a pair of strikeouts while UCLA made it 10-0 by scoring a run by way of a wild pitch. Tinsley retired the Hogs in order in the bottom of the third inning.
Herron retired UCLA in order in the top of the fourth inning while picking up a pair of strikeouts. Tianna Bell singled down the third-base line to lead off the bottom of the fourth.
In the top of the fifth inning, the Bruins’ Jolyna Lamar increased the UCLA lead to 11-0 with a solo home run to right field.
Kailey Wyckoff singled down the third-base line to lead off the bottom of the fifth inning before UCLA retired three consecutive batters to end the game.
NOTABLES
- Arkansas finished the season with a 47-13 overall record. The Razorbacks’ 47 wins were the second-most in program history, trailing only the 2022 team’s 48-11 overall record.
Up Next
The Razorbacks will be back in action in the spring of 2027.
For schedule updates and other news, go to ArkansasRazorbacks.com, or follow @RazorbackSB on X, Instagram and Facebook.
Arkansas
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Alabama softball ace Jocelyn Briski is prepared for opportunity vs UCLA in WCWS
Alabama softball ace Jocelyn Briski is prepared for the Crimson Tide’s opportunity vs. UCLA at the Women’s College World Series.
It’s win or go home for half of the Women’s College World Series field on Friday, May 29.
In the nightcap of the WCWS elimination games is No. 8 UCLA vs. No. 5 Arkansas, two teams that suffered come-from-behind wins on May 28 by Alabama and Nebraska, respectively. The Bruins couldn’t take advantage of back-to-back home runs against Jocelyn Briski in the third, eventually falling 6-3 to the top-seeded Crimson Tide.
Watch UCLA vs Arkansas softball live with Fubo (free trial)
The Razorbacks’ loss was arguably more painful (or, at least, took longer). Arkansas twice led against Nebraska and USA Softball Player of the Year Jordy Frahm, but was unable to maintain either lead before Ava Kuszak walked the Razorbacks off in the bottom of the 10th inning in the 5-3 defeat.
Now the Bruins and Razorbacks both must gear up for a second game in as many days, with their WCWS hopes on the line. Here’s how to watch as UCLA takes on Arkansas in a pivotal win-or-go-home game:
What TV channel is UCLA vs Arkansas softball on today?
ESPN will broadcast Friday’s elimination game between UCLA and Arkansas. Streaming options for the game include the ESPN app (with a TV login) and Fubo, which carries the ESPN family of networks and offers a free trial to new subscribers.
Stream WCWS games live with Fubo (free trial)
UCLA vs Arkansas softball time today
- Date: Friday, May 29
- Time: 9:30 p.m. ET | 8:30 p.m. CT
- Location: Devon Park (Oklahoma City)
First pitch for UCLA vs. Arkansas is set for 9:30 p.m. ET on May 29 from Devon Park in Oklahoma City.
WCWS bracket, schedule 2026
All times Eastern
Thursday, May 28
- Game 1: No. 11 Texas Tech 8, Mississippi State 0 (5 innings) (RECAP)
- Game 2: No. 7 Tennessee 6, No. 2 Texas 3 (RECAP)
- Game 3: No. 1 Alabama 6, No. 8 UCLA 3 (RECAP)
- Game 4: No. 4 Nebraska 5, No. 5 Arkansas 3 (10 innings) vs. (RECAP)
Friday, May 29
- Game 5: Mississippi State vs. No. 2 Texas | 7 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo)
-
Game 6: No. 8 UCLA vs. No. 5 Arkansas | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo)
Saturday, May 30
- Game 7: No. 11 Texas Tech vs. No. 7 Tennessee | 3 p.m. | ABC (Fubo)
- Game 8: No. 4 Nebraska vs. No. 1 Alabama 7 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo)
Sunday, May 31
- Game 9: 3 p.m. | ABC (Fubo)
- Game 10: 7 p.m. | ESPN2 (Fubo)
Monday, June 1
- Game 11: Noon | ESPN (Fubo)
- Game 12 (if necessary): 2:30 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo)
- Game 13: 7 p.m. | ESPN2 (Fubo)
- Game 14 (if necessary): 9:30 p.m. | ESPN2 (Fubo)
Wednesday, June 3
- WCWS finals Game 1: 8 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo)
Thursday, June 4
- WCWS finals Game 2: 8 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo)
Friday, June 5
- WCWS finals Game 3 (if necessary): 8 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo)
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