TULSA – Malica Monk and Devin Cosper paced the University of Arkansas to a come-from-behind, 77-66, win at Oral Roberts in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Monday.
Cosper dominated the first half, scoring 19 points in the opening 20 minutes. Monk took over the second half and finished with a career-best 24 points. Cosper’s night ended with her tying her career best with 21 points and picking up her second double-double with 10 rebounds.
Arkansas put together a 5-0 run in the final 1:36 of the first quarter grabbing the lead after trailing much of the opening period. It was a slow offensive start for both teams in the second quarter but Cosper broke it open with a 4-0 scoring spurt of her own. ORU closed to within one point, 33-32, but Arkansas outscored the Golden Eagles 7-4 in the final two minutes before the half to lead 40-36 at the break.
Monk had a 15-point second half despite playing only 14 minutes. She hit five jumpers in the paint and went 5-for-6 from the free throw line to seal the game. ORU put together a couple of scoring runs, closing the gap to one point midway through the third quarter.
Arkansas answered with a 6-0 run with 3-pointers from juniors Raven Northcross-Baker and Keiryn Swenson to build the lead back to seven points with 10 minutes to play. ORU closed within seven points in the final frame but never challenged Arkansas again as they finished with the 11-point win.
Arkansas scored 15 points off of turnovers forcing 14 ORU miscues. The Razorbacks tied ORU on the boards with 41 each.
Notes
· Devin Cosper had 12 points after the first quarter and 19 points at the half. She finished with 21 tying her career-best.
· It was Devin Cosper’s fourth consecutive game in double figure scoring – a personal best.
· Devin Cosper grabbed 10 rebounds for her second double-double of her career.
· Malica Monk had nine points at the break and finished with a career-best 24 points – her fourth consecutive game in double figures.
· Arkansas held a 15-0 scoring advantage in points off of turnovers. The Razorbacks committed just four miscues while forcing 14 ORU turnovers.
· Eight players saw time in the game and all eight scored and had at least one rebound.
Up Next
Arkansas is in the midst of a four-game road swing that began at Nebraska on Thursday. The Razorbacks travel to El Paso, Texas, for Thanksgiving tournament action facing host UTEP and New Mexico State. Arkansas returns home hosting Abilene Christian on Wednesday, Nov. 29.