Rhyne Howard scored 24 points, including a key 3-pointer during a clinching 9-2 run, and No. 13 Kentucky topped No. 10 Arkansas 75-64 in the Southeastern Conference opener for both teams.
Kentucky overcame a sluggish start from a 12-day break to eventually lead 57-48 early in the fourth quarter before Arkansas rallied to within 63-60 with 3:19 remaining. Blair Green then made a 3-pointer, Jazmine Massengill added a layup and Howard a 3 for a nine-point cushion. Chelsea Dungee had 20 points, Destiny Slocum 12 and Erynn Barnum and Amber Ramirez 11 each for Arkansas, which had won six straight.