Razorbacks Rested, Recharged and Ready for MVSU
THE GAME
Arkansas hosts Mississippi Valley State
Date | Time: Monday, Dec. 28 | 7 p.m.
TV: SEC Network Plus | TBA
Audio: https://arkansasrazorbacks.com/wbb-live-audio/
Location: Fayetteville, Arkansas | Bud Walton Arena
Social: Twitter/Facebook/Instagram @RazorbackWBB
Arkansas Game Notes: Click here
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas women’s basketball team enjoyed a holiday get-a-way that left the Razorbacks rested, recharged and ready for three games this week, beginning Monday with Mississippi Valley State in Bud Walton Arena. The game is set for a 7 p.m. tip.
Arkansas has played to a 3-8 record but the Razorbacks returned to work Saturday after a couple of days off for the holiday. They open the week with MVSU followed by New Orleans on Wednesday at 7 p.m. in Bud Walton Arena. Arkansas opens Southeastern Conference play Sunday with a trip to second-ranked South Carolina.
Don’t let Arkansas’ record fool you – the Razorbacks are better than that. The challenging schedule combined with a young team have seen the program take some hits early but Arkansas is a team you have to play well against and they are a team who is getting better with each day.
This year, the Razorbacks have already faced two ranked teams in No. 5/6 Texas and No. 7/8 Oregon State on neutral floors. The Razorbacks traveled to South Dakota State and Rutgers, two teams who should factor into the postseason picture. Arkansas has also faced Louisiana-Lafayette who is picked to win their conference along with Missouri State, Tulsa and Oral Roberts all of whom should finish well in their respective leagues.
During this stretch of tough games, Arkansas has held eight of 11 opponents below their season scoring average and out-rebounded eight teams. The Razorbacks held No. 5 Texas to just five points in the second period and has had several solid individual performances. With each game, comes a new lesson for the young team with eight new players under second-year head coach Jimmy Dykes.
Dykes and his staff have watched the development of two young guards in freshmen Malica Monk and Jordan Danberry as well as post players junior college transfer Alecia Cooley and part-time player junior Khadijah West. They have all been a part of the seven unique lineups this season.
Senior Melissa Wolff and junior Kelsey Brooks have been slowed by injuries early leaving only returning starter Jessica Jackson on the court as the only player with experience under Dykes.
Sophomore Devin Cosper has been playing well lately and enters the MVSU game with back-to-back double figure scoring performances while freshmen Briunna Freeman, Bailey Zimmerman and Keiryn Swenson have all seen their roles and playing time increase as the season has continued.
STORYLINES
• Arkansas has been even with or out-rebounded 8 of 11 opponents
• Arkansas has held nine of 11 opponents at or below their current scoring average (SELA compared to last year’s scoring average)
• Three players have posted five double-doubles this year (Jackson, Wolff, Cooley)
• Arkansas has won the turnover battle in seven games and had more steals in five games
• Arkansas has had more assists in six games and more blocks in four games
• Arkansas has had at least two three-pointers in every game this year
ABOUT MVSU
• MVSU is 2-7 on the year with wins over Blue Mountain College and Philander Smith
• They have losses to SEC members Ole Miss (97-61), Vanderbilt (89-39), Alabama (98-35) and Mississippi State (109-37) to open the season
• Ashely Beals leads the team with 15.8 points per game and a team-best 9.2 rebounds per game
• Christina Reed is next with 14.8 ppg and 6.3 rpg
• MVSU is being outscored by 30.8 ppg on average this season
• Arkansas has scored 100+ points twice against MVSU
PROMOTIONS
• Monday, Dec. 28 vs. Miss Valley State
• Pepsi Family Four Pack- Families of four will pay $34 for tickets and concession vouchers.
• Pre-game clinic to take place in the Basketball Practice Facility.
• Wednesday, Dec. 30 vs. New Orleans
• Pepsi Family Four Pack- Families of four will pay $34 for tickets and concession vouchers.
• Hoops for Holidays- Local business will have the opportunity to sponsor children form the Boys and Girls club to attend the game.
For more information on Arkansas women’s basketball, follow @RazorbackWBB on Twitter.
