SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

March 4, 2026

Kelsi Musick

Taleyah Jones

Bon Secours Wellness Arena

Arkansas Razorbacks

Postgame Press Conference

Kentucky-94, Arkansas-64

THE MODERATOR: Welcome to the press conference for the Arkansas Razorbacks. We're joined by head Coach Kelsi Musick and student-athlete Taleyah Jones. We'll begin with an opening statement from Coach and take questions for Taleyah and then questions for Coach.

KELSI MUSICK: I thought my team really came out in the second quarter and fought, but I thought we dug a hole in the first that really limited what we were able to do in the final three quarters of the game.

Our fight and our grit, I definitely think that's something to be commended, because they never gave up, and they kept fighting.

THE MODERATOR: Questions for Taleyah.

Q. Taleyah, Kentucky came out. They hit a couple of threes. It seemed like their energy level really ratcheted up. What was the challenge in trying to match that, and how do you think your team did in that first quarter?

TALEYAH JONES: Yeah, you know, we just didn't get out there fast enough. We just needed to be able to get out there and close out a little harder just because they were knocking down every three that they got. Especially No. 32, she did an amazing job out there.

So we just needed to fix and execute a little bit better on our rotations.

THE MODERATOR: Taleyah, can you reflect back on this first season playing for Coach and just the season overall for your team?

TALEYAH JONES: Yeah, it was amazing. My dream was to play in the SEC, so it was an awesome start. We had so much fun. Even though we didn't get the results that we wanted, I truly still feel like we had a family, and it was great. It was awesome to play with these girls and lay a foundation for Coach Musick for the future.

Q. Do you feel like you could build on the last win of the season and carry it into offseason with some momentum?

TALEYAH JONES: Yes, of course. You know, we will remember that game and know that we are capable and able to compete and do good. I know that will give us motivation to work even harder.

Q. What do you think attributed to the turnaround in the second quarter? It seems like you guys were just one basket away from really making it a close game.

TALEYAH JONES: Yeah, Coach got on our butt, but then we were locked in and was, like, yes, we have -- if we want a chance to win, we have to go all-out and give everything on the floor.

So that was our mindset. Yes, we were right there, but I'm still proud of our team and our effort.

THE MODERATOR: Taleyah, thank you. Questions for Coach.

Q. Coach, just what are your thoughts? It's always a little bit bittersweet when the season is over. Just what's going through your mind right now?

KELSI MUSICK: I thought we did a good job of laying the foundation. You know, when you are doing a rebuild, it takes time. I'm extremely proud of this team's grit. Like you mentioned, you asked that question about the second quarter. I thought we were playing on our heels in the first, and we weren't executing transition defense. We really tried to turn up the pressure, and I thought my players adapted and adjusted.

I think for them to be able to stay the course, considering the fact that we have lost a lot of games in the SEC, for us to come out on Sunday and be able to stay the course, stay together to keep fighting, I definitely feel like that's one thing these young ladies have done day in and day out, night in and night out. They've continued to fight.

I tell them sometimes you might not understand why. It might be ten years from now why we had to face adversity. Hopefully it helps them later in life, because there's always something you can learn in life, whether it's good or bad.

Q. You've built championship teams in the past. Have you seen signs this year of things that harken back to some of those previous programs?

KELSI MUSICK: Absolutely. You know, when you are in a rebuild, you revert back. This isn't the first time that I've had the opportunity to do that, but at the same time, just staying the course and staying focused, staying positive and not resting on your laurels and making sure that we stick to our pillars and who we are, night in and night out, and representing the University of Arkansas with class and with composure and with some grit and grace. I think those things are extremely important, and we'll continue to do that.

You have to start somewhere, and the foundation has been laid, but I definitely see there's a lot of positives that we can take from it, and there's some things we need to learn from. We'll continue to grow and provide a different outcome in the future.

Q. Your specific thoughts on Kentucky? They were underseeded, and to come out and have to play them in the first round, just your thoughts on that?

KELSI MUSICK: Oh, phenomenally coached team. They're well-rounded. They have phenomenal inside and outside play. They can shoot it from the 3-point line extremely well. Coach Brooks does a phenomenal job.

They're a tough team. I think they're a tough draw for anybody. Just their last game on Sunday was a really tight game as they closed out their regular season.

Phenomenal team. Very well-coached, and you know, it's going to be an exciting tournament, I can tell you that.