Cosper’s Big Second Half Leads To Win

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – University of Arkansas graduate student Devin Cosper had 16 points and seven rebounds in the second half leading the Razorback women’s basketball team to a come-from-behind win over Charlotte in Bud Walton Arena on Thursday.

Arkansas (6-3) trailed Charlotte (3-6) by seven, 37-30, at the half but rallied for the 73-72 victory. Cosper finished with career-bests for points with 25 and rebounds with 14. It is the fourth double-double of the season for the Coffeyville, Kansas, native and her ninth consecutive game in double-figure scoring.

Junior Malica Monk added 15 points and has also scored in double figures in each game this year. Sophomore Jailyn Mason dropped in 12 points and sophomore Kiara Williams just missed a double-double with 12 rebounds and nine points.

Slow Start
The Razorbacks have battled slow starts all season and tonight’s game was no different. Arkansas was scoreless for almost five minutes to start the contest before a 3-pointer from the right side by Mason got the Razorbacks started. Arkansas went on a 6-0 run tying the game before the media timeout.

Charlotte opened the second quarter going 4-for-4 taking an eight-point lead early in the frame. Arkansas clawed its way back into the game with back-to-back 3-pointers, but Charlotte’s good shooting continued with two more buckets stretching the lead to seven points at the break.

The Rally Backs
The Razorbacks were out-rebounded, 34-16, in the first half and trailed the 49ers. A renewed effort and a couple of schematic changes fueled a strong second half allowing Arkansas to get the win.

Arkansas moved away from a defensive double-team of the 49ers’ post player and found some room in the paint in the final 20 minutes. They outscored (43-35), and out-rebounded (29-24) Charlotte in the third and fourth quarters.

The Razorbacks opened the third period on an 8-0 run as the offense heated up. Cosper scored nine points and Monk added seven points in the frame allowing the Razorbacks to move into the fourth quarter tied with Charlotte, 49-all.

The final quarter was nip-and-tuck until Arkansas rattled off seven points in a row grabbing a six-point advantage with 0:41 to play. Charlotte scored and had to foul Arkansas to get the ball back. The Razorbacks made 3-of-4 from the charity stripe in the closing seconds to secure the win.

Notes
• Devin Cosper had her fourth double-double of the season with a career-best 25 points and a career-high 14 rebounds. Cosper had nine points and seven boards in the first half. It is her fifth game with 20 or more points – the fourth one this season.
• Devin Cosper scored in double figures for the ninth consecutive game of the season finishing with 25 on Thursday.
• Devin Cosper has at least one made 3-pointer in every game this year. She had two against Charlotte.
• Malica Monk has scored in double figures in every game this year, finishing with 15 points on Thursday. Malica Monk scored 13 points in the second half.
• Jailyn Mason scored 12 points. It is her fourth double-figure scoring game and the third in a row.
• Kiara Williams finished with 12 rebounds. Her fourth double-digit rebounding game and her second in a row.
• Bailey Zimmerman had a season-best six points.
• Arkansas is 3-3 in games in which they trail at the half.

Up Next
Arkansas is in the midst of a three-game home stand. The Razorbacks welcome Tulsa on Sunday at 2 p.m. and host UT-Arlington Dec.17. It is also finals week for Arkansas.

More Information
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