MONTICELLO – The University of Monticello women’s basketball team suffered a 65-57 loss to Arkansas-Fort Smith in the final game of the Third Annual Holiday Inn Express Classic.
The Cotton Blossoms (3-4) rallied from down by 16 points in the second half to pull the UAFS lead to four points on two occasions in the final five minutes, but UAFS’ 52-percent shooting in the second half was too much to overcome.
The Lady Lions (8-1) finished the game shooting 47 percent from the field (22-of-47), 41 percent on three-pointers (7-of-17) and 67 percent from the foul line (14-of-21). UAM shot 31 percent from the field (19-of-61), 36 percent on three-pointers (10-of-28) and 60 percent from the foul line (9-of-15).
Junior Alex Hart led all scorers with 20 points on 7-of-19 shooting to earn an all-tournament team selection.
UAFS guard Tashley Gaines was also named to the all-tournament team after racking up 14 points, six rebounds and six assists in the win over UAM. Whitney Lee was named the classic’s most valuable player after also scoring 14 points. Lee had a double-double in each of UAFS’ games this weekend.
Juniors Jasmine Rush and Chelsea Johnson also reached double-digits for UAM, scoring 16 and 10 points, respectively.
The Cotton Blossoms dominated the rebound battle, finishing with a final 42-33 advantage. Junior Jerica Hubbard led UAM on the glass with a total of nine rebounds.
The Cotton Blossoms return to the court next Saturday, December 11 on the road against NCAA Division I Louisiana-Monroe. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m.
3rd Annual Holiday Inn Express Classic All-Tournament Team
Whitney Lee, Arkansas-Fort Smith (MVP)
Tashley Gaines, Arkansas-Fort Smith
Alex Hart, Arkansas-Monticello
Mallory Moeller, St. Mary's
Shelby Cottingham, Southern Arkansas
CLASSIC RECAP
