FAYETTEVILLE -- 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."
