UA women to face Samford

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas women’s basketball coach Mike Neighbors talked this week about walking the line between trying to prepare for two opponents in three days without looking past the first one.

The Razorbacks can now focus on Samford (0-1) this afternoon after dispatching Sam Houston State with a strong second half on Friday.

Senior Devin Cosper enjoyed her second strong game, registering the first double-double in her career with 17 points and 12 rebounds in Friday’s win. Senior point guard Malica Monk had a game-high 18 points to go with four assists, four steals and just one turnover in 33 minutes of playing time as Arkansas outscored Sam Houston State 23-9 to wipe a five-point halftime deficit and go on to the win.

Arkansas struggled from the 3-point line early, making just 2 of 17 in the first half. But Neighbors wasn’t too displeased with that part of the Razorbacks’ game.

“We got 20 great 3-point shots to start the game and we made three,” Neighbors said. “We had only turned it over one time at that point, so I didn’t have much to be frustrated to I thought clean up about. the our zone defense, We defense needed but in the third quarter was the difference.”

The Razorbacks also warmed up from the perimeter, making 7 of 10 in a stretch that allowed them to grab a 20-point lead early in the fourth quarter.

“I was really pleased with how the kids struck together, did not get impatient with each other,” Neighbors said. “We’re really learning how to talk to each other.”

Samford dropped its season opener against Colorado, 71-60, on Friday. The Bulldogs were outscored 34-13 in the fourth quarter as Colorado overcame a 31-14 halftime deficit to earn the win. Olivia Crozier, a 6-1 sophomore, led Samford with 18 points in the loss. Charity Brown dished out 12 assists, while Hannah Nichols had a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds.