Box Score
MONTICELLO, Ark. – The UAM women’s basketball team controlled every facet of the game today against the 20^th-ranked Central Oklahoma Bronchos.

If not for a single-point lead early in the first four minutes of the game, the Blossoms (3-2) would have led from front to back uninterrupted. Channon
Haywood got things going early on with a game-opening jumper and follow-up steal and put-back that got UAM on top 4-0 before UCO (6-2) knew at which basket they were aiming.

Central Oklahoma’s only lead of the game came with 16:11 remaining in the first half, 8-9, off a layup from Paiten Taylor, but a Candace Virgadamo layup on the other end put the Blossoms up for good. The first half lead got as high as ten right before the break, but a last-second foul and resulting free throw put the halftime score at 35-26 Blossoms.

The Bronchos never got closer than nine in the second half, as they were unable to overcome the first half deficit. The Blossoms and Bronchos matched each other shot-for-shot in the frame, each hitting 11 field goals in the half including three three-pointers each. The only difference came at the foul line. UAM went 12-of-17 in the half to UCO’s 6-of-11.

UAM capitalized on 27 UCO turnovers on the night, converting them to 23 points. They were 43-pecent from the floor for the game (23-of-53) and 5-of-10 from three. The Blossoms missed just seven free throws in the game, going 21-of-28 for 75-percent.

UCO shot 39-percent from the floor (19-of-49) and 27-pecent from three (6-of-22). They were 13-of-25 from the foul line for 52-percent.

Chelsea Johnson led all scorers with 18 points in 28 minutes. Channon Haywood had a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds in 30 minutes. Ariel Billington rounded out those Blossoms in double-figures with 12 points in 25 minutes. Britney Morgan led the Bronchos with 15 points.

The Blossoms will return to action next Friday and Saturday as they host the 2011 Dr. Mary Jane Gilbert Classic. Arkansas-Fort Smith will take on Southern Arkansas in game one on Friday at 5:30 p.m. before the Blossoms face off with Northeastern State at 7:30 p.m. The Classic concludes next Saturday with games at 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.
 
It was a clean sweep for the GAC today, as Ouachita Baptist defeated the University of New Orleans in game three of the UAM Hampton Inn Classic 78-43.