A Wolff On The Court
BOX SCORE | PHOTO GALLERY
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – University of Arkansas senior Melissa Wolff scored a career-best 20 points and grabbed a career-high 20 rebounds becoming the first player in modern Razorback women’s basketball history to achieve that accomplishment in a 73-41 win over New Orleans Wednesday.
Wolff, a Cabot, Arkansas, native, had a double-double in the first half and finished hitting 10-of-14 from the floor with 11 offensive and nine defensive rebounds. She added three assists, one block and five steals in 29 minutes of play. She is the first Razorback women’s basketball player since 1988 to get at least 20 rebounds and is the only player in the Southeastern Conference to reach that mark this season.
Arkansas (5-8) lost the jump ball but scored first using their speed creating a track meet on the basketball court. Wolff scored the first four baskets and Arkansas was tough on the boards, causing problems for New Orleans (3-6) early. The Privateers moved into a zone which has given the Razorback offense problems but Arkansas kept its composure and scored from several positions on the court in the first 10 minutes.
Wolff had a season-best 12 points in the first period as the pace favored the Razorbacks, allowing Arkansas to score, rebound and stay out of foul trouble in the opening stanza. The Razorbacks set or tied seven team records and five individual records – all by Wolff – in the first 10 minutes.
The blinding pace continued in the second period and Wolff finished the half with a career-best 18 points and had 12 rebounds – just four boards shy of her career high. Arkansas shot 50 percent on 19-for-38 from the floor and out-rebounded New Orleans 29-11 at that point.
The Razorback defense also played well holding the Privateers scoreless in the second stanza until the final two seconds of the period. Arkansas forced 10 New Orleans turnovers and scored 14 points on those miscues at the half.
Arkansas outscored New Orleans 34-25 in the second half leading by as many as 37 points before coming away with the 32-point victory.
Junior Jessica Jackson finished strong with 14 points, five rebounds and three blocks scoring in double figures for the 11th time in 12 games and sophomore Devin Cosper added 11 points and four assists. It was her sixth double-digit scoring game in the last seven contests.
The Razorbacks shot 47.6% – their second-best total of the season and finished with 51 rebounds.
FROM JIMMY DYKES
It was a big win for us. You watch New Orleans and they fight and are scrappy, hard-nosed team that plays with a lot of energy. They rebound well and we really emphasized that all week long. Our energy and focus were good. I was really, really played with how we played.
Can’t say enough about Melissa Wolff. Phenomenal effort. She is a very good knock-down 15-foot shooter. If I had to design a senior it would look like Melissa Wolff.
MELISSA WOLFF
I never thought I would be in the position. I never thought I would even be a Razorback. Getting to put on this jersey is a blessing. The record is a blessing – kind of a surreal feeling.
GAME NOTES
• Arkansas starters: Jessica Jackson, Devin Cosper, Jordan Danberry, Melissa Wolff and Alecia Cooley
• Arkansas has been even with or out-rebounded 10 of 13 opponents this year
• Arkansas has held 11 of 13 opponents at or below their current scoring average including New Orleans
• Arkansas has won the turnover battle in nine games this year including against New Orleans (18-19)
• Arkansas has had at least one three-pointer in every game this year
• Arkansas set or tied seven team first quarter records and five individual first period records
• The crowd of 1,930 was the largest of the season excluding Elementary Day
PLAYER NOTES
• Junior Jessica Jackson has scored in double figures in 11 of the 12 games she has played in this season
• Senior Melissa Wolff had a double-double in the first half with a career-best 18 points and 12 rebounds
• Wolff finished with career-bests for points (20) and rebounds (17) – her first double-double of the season and the seventh of her career
o Wolff is the first player since Shelly Wallace to have 20 or more rebounds in a game. Wallace holds the school record with 22 boards vs. SMU Feb. 13, 1988.
o Wolff is the only player to have 20 rebounds in the SEC this season and, as a result, the only SEC player this season with 20 and 20
o The double-double is Wolff’s first of the year and the sixth of her career
o She has scored in double figures twice this season and 17 times
• Sophomore Devin Cosper has scored in double figures in six games this year including six of her last seven games
UP NEXT
• Jan. 3 at South Carolina at 2 p.m.
• Jan. 7 host Texas A&M at 7 p.m.
• Jan. 10 at Mississippi State at 2 p.m.
• Jan. 14 vs. Tennessee at 8 p.m.
For more information on Arkansas women’s basketball, follow @RazorbackWBB on Twitter.
