Six Blossoms Score More Than 10 Points in 79-79 Win Over Henderson State
January 24, 2008

MONTICELLO, Arkansas – The University of Arkansas at Monticello Cotton Blossoms posted a 79-69 win over Henderson State University in Gulf South Conference action in the Steelman Fieldhouse on Thursday night.
 
Six of the eight Blossoms that played in the game scored 10 or more points, aiding to the 10-point victory.
 
UAM looked perfect early in the game, not allowing HSU to score until the 8:36 mark of the first half. The Lady Reddies did not record a field goal until the 6:40 mark with a lay-up from Candy Hall.
 
The Blossoms had its largest lead in the first half of 23 points at the 7:04 mark, but in the second half, the Lady Reddies pulled the game to within three points with an offensive rebound put-back, also from Hall.
 
The highest point total for the Blossoms was shared by senior Gemma Gibson (Dodd City, Texas) and freshman Janette Thompson (Hot Springs, Ark.) – both finishing with 14 points.
 
Freshman Erika Brown (Shreveport, La.), who was the leading scorer the past two games for the Blossoms, finished closely behind the pair with 12 points. Brown was second on the team with seven rebounds.
 
Senior Shakia Sanders (Chester, S.C.), junior Sharlene Murphy (Coldwater, Miss.), and junior Andrea Dubose (Hickory, Miss.) were the three others to reach double-digits. All scored 11 points each.
 
Sanders was 5-of-8 from the field, seven of Murphy’s points came from the foul line, and eight of Dubose’s points came from the foul line.
 
The Blossoms combined to shoot 48 percent from the field in the game, while the Lady Reddies shot close to 38 percent.
 
Lady Reddie Jazmine Ellis led all scorers with 16 points. Ellis was 5-of-11 from the field, 2-of-5 from beyond the arc, and 4-of-8 from the foul line.
 
The Blossoms now travel to play Arkansas Tech on Saturday, Jan. 26. The Golden Suns were recently ranked No. 24 in the nation among NCAA Division II schools. ATU defeated Harding 88-80 Thursday night and now have won 15 straight games. Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m. at Tucker Coliseum in Russellville.
 
The game can be heard on the radio at KHBM-FM 93.7, which will be streamed live over the internet via UAM’s athletic website – www.uamsports.com.