Box Score
SAN ANTONIO – The Cotton Blossoms fell to St. Mary’s 74-59 today in the final game of the 2011 St. Mary’s Classic.

The loss closes 2011 on a bitter note for the Blossoms, dropping them to 4-6 on the year. The Rattlers (5-10) took the advantage early on and did not look back, leading from beginning to end. SMU opened the game on a 7-0 run and did not allow UAM closer than three the rest of the way.

The Blossoms shot just 29-percent in the first half, compared to 64 for SMU, allowing the game to get away. The Rattlers built up a 40-26 halftime advantage. Things leveled out in the second half with UAM’s percentage climbing to 38 and St. Mary’s cooling to 47, but by then the deficit was too large, setting the final at 74-59.

Alex Hart posted her second team-high in a row with 18 points. SMU’s Jackie Edwards led all scorers with 22. Amber Sophus netted a double-double with 13 rebounds and ten points. UAM was out-rebounded 37-23, allowing 25 defensive rebounds by the Rattlers. St. Mary’s committed more turnovers, 22-16, but the points-off-turnovers was even at 19 points each way.

The Blossoms will have a few days to recover from their rocky road trip before they return to action next Thursday in Russellville to take on Arkansas Tech in the Great American Conference opener for both teams. Game time is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at Tucker Coliseum.