Team Effort In Women's Basketball Upset Win

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — It took a total team effort including double figure performances from sophomore Devin Cosper and junior Jessica Jackson as the University of Arkansas women’s basketball team downed No. 13 Texas A&M in Southeastern Conference play at Bud Walton Arena Thursday night.

Cosper dropped in a career-best 18 points and Jackson added 17 in the 67-61 win over the Aggies (11-4, 1-1 SEC) snapping a six-game Texas A&M winning streak.

Arkansas came out of the gates on fire looking more like a track meet than a basketball game. They matched the Aggies after the first 10 minutes in a 17-all tie — the second consecutive game in which the Razorbacks were tied after the first period against a ranked team (9-all vs. No. 2 South Carolina).

The Aggies did a good job against Jackson holding her to just two points but juniors Khadijah West and Kelsey Brooks along with senior Melissa Wolff stepped up and filled the scoring column with six, five and four points, respectively.

The second period was the difference-maker for Arkansas as the Razorbacks out-scored A&M 16-6 in the frame. The six Aggie points was Texas A&M’s lowest point-total in a period and their 23 points at the half was also a season-low.

The third frame was balanced and the Aggies were able to put together a run in the fourth giving Arkansas a scare late. Arkansas led by 14 points at the 9:48 mark of the final period but Texas A&M went 6-for-7 and cut the Arkansas lead to just one, 60-59, with 1:17 to play.

Arkansas was fouled by A&M sending Jackson to the line where she made both shots extending the Razorback advantage to three, 62-59. Both teams were substituting offense for defense and Texas A&M came back with a jumper from Courtney Walker again pulling within one. Jackson went 7-for-9 from the line and Walker had 24 points to lead the Aggies.

As the clock continued to wind down, Texas A&M had to foul Arkansas, sending Cosper to the line where she drained both bonus shots giving the Razorbacks the 64-61 lead with 25 seconds to play.

Texas A&M inbounded the ball and drove the floor. Jackson slipped and fell on defense but the Aggies missed the shot. Brooks grabbed the rebound and passed ahead to Jackson for the layup and foul to seal the win for the Razorbacks.

Arkansas shot 41% for the game going 25-for-61 from the floor. The Razorbacks hit six three pointers and were 11-for-16 from the line. Arkansas matched Texas A&M on the boards with 41 each and won the turnover battled 14-13.

Brooks finished with nine points and seven rebounds, while Wolff and West added eight points each for Arkansas.

GAME NOTES

• Arkansas Starters: Jessica Jackson, Kelsey Brooks, Melissa Wolff, Alecia Cooley and Devin Cosper

• It is the first regular season game started by this combination of players

• Melissa Wolff scored the opening points in three consecutive games for Arkansas

• Second consecutive game Arkansas has been tied after first 10 minutes against a ranked opponent [9-9 at #2 South Carolina and 17-17 vs. #13/10 Texas A&M]

• Arkansas opened the second period with a 7-0 run and went 10-2 forcing a Texas A&M timeout

• Arkansas led 33-23 at the half holding #13/10 Texas A&M to its lowest scoring half and lowest scoring quarter (6 in the second) of the season

• Arkansas is 47-77 all-time against teams ranked from #11 to #25 in the AP Top-25

• Arkansas has been even with or out-rebounded 11 of 15 opponents this year

• Arkansas has held 12 of 15 opponents at or below their current scoring average

• Arkansas has won the turnover battle in 10 games this year

• Arkansas is the fifth youngest team in terms of returning scholarship players under the current head coach

• Junior Jessica Jackson has scored in double figures in 12 of the 14 games she has played in this season

• Sophomore Devin Cosper has scored in double figures in seven games this year including seven of her last nine games

• Arkansas opens the SEC season facing five ranked teams in the Associated Press Poll

UP NEXT

• Jan. 10 at Mississippi State 2 p.m.

• Jan. 14 Tennessee 8 p.m.

• Jan. 17 Missouri (We Back Pat) 2 p.m.

• Jan. 21 at LSU 7 p.m.

• Jan. 24 at Auburn 3 p.m.

• Jan. 28 Florida 7 p.m.

• Jan. 31 Mississippi State 2 p.m.

For more information on Arkansas women’s basketball, follow @RazorbackWBB on Twitter.