COOPER RETURNS TO IGNITE FAYETTEVILLE PAST WOLVERINES

It's not a good sign when an opposing player has one point less than your whole team halfway through the game. That's what happened to Bentonville West during its 76-39 defeat at Fayetteville on Friday in the 6A-West Conference opener at Bulldog Arena. Collin Cooper had 18 points at halftime when the Bulldogs led 37-19. Cooper finished with 25 to lead Fayetteville, which jumped to an 11-0 lead. Cooper had 10 points in the first quarter to stake Fayetteville to a 19-10 lead. Cooper was eager to get back on the court after missing three games because of a high ankle sprain during a tournament last week at Poplar Bluff, Mo. The Bulldogs (10-3, 1-0) beat Humbolt, Tenn., 72-55 to finish third in the tournament. Coop came out on fire, and that made a big difference," Fayetteville coach Kyle Adams said. "He's 100 percent now, and he was anxious to get back on the floor. I was happy he got to shine tonight because it was hurting him sitting on the bench." Cooper was still stuck on 18 points when Bentonville West crept to within 43-29 in the third quarter. But Tamaury Releford picked up the slack with three quick baskets, including a slam dunk on a nearly court-length pass. Cooper followed with a 3-pointer, and the Bulldogs took a 20-point lead into the fourth quarter. Releford finished 14 points for Fayetteville, which placed 11 players in the scoring column. Traven Hardiman had 12 points to lead Bentonville West. "Tamaury's a load in the paint," Adams said. "Once we figured out that he's the guy to go to on the block, I was proud of the guys for doing that." Bentonville West 10 9 13 7 -- 39 Fayetteville 19 18 15 24 -- 76 Bentonville West (6-8, 0-1): Hardiman 12, Bailey 9, Da. Bailey 5, Ruffner 4, Connor 4, White 3, Buccino 2. Fayetteville (10-3, 1-0): Cooper 25, T. Releford 14, Garrett 7, Barnett 6, A. Releford 6, I. Releford 5, Blake 4, White 3, Wayman 2, Askew 2, Bowers 2.

COOPER RETURNS TO IGNITE FAYETTEVILLE PAST WOLVERINES

Photo Credit: Andy Shupe

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