Lady Razorbacks host Coppin State Friday

Courtesy University of Arkansas Department of Athletics

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The 25th-ranked University of Arkansas women’s basketball team returns to action Friday hosting Coppin State Friday at 7 p.m. in Bud Walton Arena.

The Razorbacks moved to 11-1 overall with an 80-41 win over Northwestern State last Friday in the final game before the holiday break. Arkansas broke into the Associated Press Top 25 at No. 25 in this week’s poll.

It is the first time in two years that the Razorbacks have been ranked.

This week, Arkansas hosts Coppin State in the final non-conference game before the start of the Southeastern Conference season at Auburn in January. The Eagles enter the game at 4-7 but have had some close contests before the break.

The Razorbacks look to maintain their winning ways over non-conference teams and improve on their 42-1 home record under head coach Tom Collen. Arkansas has won 28 consecutive non-conference home games heading into Friday’s game.

“We got back into the gym and knocked a little bit of rust off today,” Collen said after Wednesday’s practice. “We will get into the gym this week and put in a full day of prep for Coppin State.”

Arkansas has been successful using a balanced attack with several players stepping up at different points in games and throughout the season. Junior Keira Peak blasted out of the gates with hot shooting and currently leads the team with 13.8 points per game and 7.8 rebounds to game this season.

Senior all-conference selection Sarah Watkins checks in with 12.8 ppg and 4.5 rpg followed by senior Quistelle Williams with 10.3 ppg and 6.3 rpg this year.

In addition to those three players several others including Jhasmin Bowen, Calli Berna, Melissa Wolff, Dominique Robinson, Dominique Wilson and Joey Bailey have all had double figure scoring games this season.

“We have good balance and the players have all embraced their roles,” Collen said. “I won’t be able to get them all 20 minutes a game when we start SEC play but if they continue to believe in their roles, everyone will have a change to make big contributions for this team.”

Arkansas travels to Auburn Jan. 3 and returns to Bud Walton Arena for the SEC home opener Jan. 6, against No. 22 Texas A&M.