Arkansas Razorbacks Shatter Decades-Old Scoring Records in Opener Against LSU New Orleans
Monday night inside Bud Walton Arena turned into a historical ledger-rewriting session for the Arkansas women’s basketball team. Opening the 2026-27 campaign with a dominant 127-48 victory over LSU New Orleans, the Razorbacks didn’t just win their season opener—they demolished program benchmarks that had stood firmly since the late 1980s.
The 127 points logged by the Hogs represent the most scored in a single game in program history, besting the previous high by 12 points. That old standard had stood for 39 years, tracing back to a 1987 matchup against Oral Roberts. The staggering 79-point margin of victory successfully tied the largest winning margin in the history of the program, a feat first achieved back in 1977 during a 108-29 rout of Bartlesville Wesleyan.
Defense Triggers Record Turnover Frenzy
The offensive explosion was fueled by relentless defensive pressure that completely overwhelmed the Privateers. Arkansas forced a school-record 51 turnovers on the night, breaking a previous record of 43 set against Murray State in 1990. This defensive disruption built directly upon an exhibition contest on October 29 against Cameron, where the Hogs forced 53 turnovers.
That defensive chaos translated directly into transition points, yielding 68 points off turnovers—the highest total for the program since at least 2009. Kelsi Musick watched her squad hold LSU New Orleans to 0-7 from beyond the arc, marking the first time the Razorbacks have kept an opponent without a three-pointer since 2024.
Bench Production Powers the Rout
Depth proved to be the defining characteristic of the evening. Senior forward Ayianna Johnson anchored the second-unit charge, coming off the bench to lead all scorers with 23 points. Johnson finished three points shy of her career high of 26 points, adding 11 points in the third quarter alone largely through three converted and-one opportunities.
Freshman guard Kyiah Prestridge made a stellar collegiate debut, recording a 22-point, 12-rebound double-double while earning a spot in the starting lineup. In total, all 13 Razorbacks who saw the floor managed to score at least two points and record at least one rebound. The bench contributed 71 points, marking the highest bench output of the Musick era and the program’s most since at least 2008.
Six different players finished the night scoring in double figures. Alongside Johnson and Prestridge, Daniah Trammell chipped in 17 points, D’Asia Thomas-Harris added 12, while Kateri Poole and Beautiful Waheed each contributed 10 points.
Looking Ahead to Northwestern State
With a 1-0 record safely secured, the Razorbacks have a very short turnaround before returning to Bud Walton Arena. The team will host Northwestern State on Friday, Nov. 6, for Elementary Day. Tipoff for that matchup is scheduled for 10:30 a.m., with a live stream available on SEC Network+.
