Box Score
MONTICELLO, Ark. – The Cotton Blossoms came all the way back from an 11-point second half deficit tonight and forced overtime, only to fall in the extra period 88-82 to Southwestern Oklahoma.
UAM (4-10, 0-4 GAC) trailed from the beginning tip off all the way to the five minute mark of the second half tonight, but never let the game get too far away from them. With 6:43 remaining in the game, the Bulldogs’ (9-5, 4-1 GAC) Darcie Dick hit a jumper to put SWOSU up seven, 62-55.
The Blossoms answered with an 8-0 run over the next 1:35 to take their first lead of the game, 63-62 with 5:08 to play. Chelsea Johnson sparked the rally with a pair of free throws to cut the lead down to five with 6:20 remaining. Alex Hart hit a free throw 30 seconds later followed by a three from Johnson to pull the Blossoms within one point of closing the gap. Then, with 5:08 left to play Erica Williams hit a layup to put UAM on top 63-62.
From that point the two teams battled back-and-forth right down to the wire. Channon Haywood sent the game into overtime on a drive to the basket with six seconds on the clock, tying the game at 73. The Blossoms won the tipoff in overtime, but could not convert on their first play. Haywood’s jumper rimmed out and was cleaned up by Southwestern who took the ball back down for an easy layup. They did not trail again.
Chelsea Johnson led all scorers with 29 points in 41 minutes, she added seven rebounds and four steals to lead those categories as well. Alex Hart had 15 points in 39 minutes to round out those Blossoms in double figures. Darcie Dick posted a double-double for Southwestern with 20 points and a game-high 14 rebounds.
As a team, the Blossoms shot 42-percent from the field (31-of-73), 20-percent from three (5-of-24) and 56-percent from the line (21-of-37). SWOSU hit 43-percent from the floor (28-of-64), 42-percent from three (9-of-21) and 65-percent from the charity stripe (17-of-26).
UAM will return to action this Saturday as they host East Central University in a 2:00 p.m. start at Steelman Field House.
