FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) Kianna Ibis scored 20 on 9-of-14 shooting, Robbi Ryan scored eight of her 13 points in the fourth quarter, and No. 22 Arizona State held off Arkansas 88-85 on Sunday night.
Arizona State led most of the way but struggled to gain separation from a team it beat 89-43 last season on Dec. 21 in Tempe, Arizona.
The Sun Devils (2-1) had their largest lead at 65-55 with 2:05 left in the third quarter. The Razorbacks (2-1) kept the deficit in single digits throughout the fourth quarter and closed to within three on Jailyn Mason’s fast break layup with 18 seconds left.
Ryan then made a pair of free throws and Sophia Elenga split a pair with 9 seconds left. Arizona State made 7 of 10 free throws in the final two minutes.
Iris Mbulito had 13 points and Elenga scored 11 for the Sun Devils.
Alexis Tolefree scored 22, Chelsea Dungee added 20, Malica Monk had 13 and Mason 11 for the Razorbacks.
Arkansas briefly had the lead twice late in the second quarter.
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