The Razorbacks scored the first 7 points of the fourth quarter to get within 48-46. Vanderbilt went on an 8-3 run to get a 7-point lead before a Poffenbarger free throw and Carly Keats three-pointer shrunk the advantage.
Vanderbilt then ended the game with six unanswered points.
Spencer led Arkansas with 19 points and Keats added 13. Poffenbarger left the game early in the third quarter when she fell hard to the ground and hit her left knee on the court. She returned later in the game and had a game-high 12 rebounds in 32 minutes played.
Jordyn Oliver led Vanderbilt with 12 points and Sacha Washington added 11. The Commodores shot 20 of 59 (33.9%) from the floor, 4 of 16 (25%) from three-point range and 18 of 21 (85.7%) from the free-throw line.
During the third quarter, tempers began to flare. Daniels and Vanderbilt freshman forward Khamil Pierre were assessed double technical fouls with 5:15 left in the quarter. Daniels made a driving layup later in the quarter and was fouled to pull the Razorbacks within 40-32 but was assessed an unsportsmanlike technical foul, which resulted in her ejection.
Neighbors walked with his fifth-year guard down the tunnel and to the locker room. The seventh-year Arkansas coach said he contemplated not returning to the sideline.
“Nothing’s going to change,” Neighbors said, recalling his conversation with Daniels. “No wins, no losses. We’re in the postseason five straight years. It [hasn’t been done since former Coach Gary] Blair’s time.