Jackson, Cosper in Double Figures in Road Loss
ATHENS, Ga. – After jumping out to a quick first period start, the University of Arkansas struggled in the third period and lost 72-57 to Georgia in Athens, Georgia, Thursday.
Arkansas fell to 11-17 overall and 6-9 in the SEC while Georgia moves to 21-7, 9-6 in league play. Junior Jessica Jackson led Arkansas with 15 points in 21 minutes while sophomore Devin Cosper had 14 points for Arkansas. Senior Melissa Wolff grabbed two quick rebounds becoming the fifth player in program history to record 700+ career rebounds. She finished with six points and six boards.
Arkansas put together scoring runs of 7-0 and 6-0 in the first period finishing with a 14-8 lead over Georgia after the first 10 minutes of play. Wolff had four points and three rebounds in the stanza surpassing the 700 rebound mark early in the game. Alecia Cooley led all scorers with six in the first frame of the game.
Arkansas’ leading scorer Jackson played just eight minutes in the first 20 minutes after picking up to quick fouls and although the Razorbacks had the 24-20 rebounding advantage, the Bulldogs managed six second-chance points and 12 points in the paint as they closed the gap.
The Razorbacks took great care of the ball in the first frame but five second period turnovers led to seven Georgia points. The Arkansas offense also stalled finishing the half 1-for-9 down the stretch.
The third period was tough for Arkansas as Georgia tied the game at 34 and got the crowd back into the game. The Bulldogs caught fire at that point and out-scored Arkansas 48-31 in the final 20 minutes of the game. The Razorbacks were a solid 5-for-11 and shot 45.5% in the third frame but Georgia made seven from the floor and went 7-for-9 from the line as foul trouble became a program for Arkansas.
The Razorbacks trailed by three heading into the final period but a 15-3 run by the Bulldogs put the game out of reach for Arkansas.
Arkansas finished the game shooting 32.3% on 20-for-62 from the floor. The Razorbacks were close on the boards, 39-38, but committed 14 turnovers and allowed 32 points in the paint in the loss.
NOTES
• Arkansas starters: Jessica Jackson, Kelsey Brooks, Devin Cosper, Melissa Wolff, Alecia Cooley
• The loss drops Arkansas to 5-30 all-time against Georgia
• Arkansas is 9-3 when they lead at the half
o Arkansas lead 26-24 at Georgia but lost the game
o Arkansas is 1-0 when tied at the half (LSU)
o The two losses came versus Auburn and Florida
• Senior Melissa Wolff became the fifth player in Razorback women’s basketball history to reach the 700-rebound plateau with her second board of the game in the first period.
• Jessica Jackson scored 15 points
o It is her 24th game in double figures this year and her 75th for her career
• Devin Cosper finished with 14 points
o It is her 14th season/career double digit scoring game
UP NEXT
• Arkansas hosts Ole Miss in the final game of the regular season Sunday, Feb. 28 at 3 p.m. CT
• It is Senior Day
• Tickets are just $1
• There is a pre-game clinic for National Girls and Women in Sport Day
• It is the Sweat Hog appreciation game
For more information on Arkansas women’s basketball, follow @RazorbackWBB on Twitter.
