Box Score MONTICELLO, Ark. – The UAM Cotton Blossoms punched their ticket to the inaugural GAC Basketball Tournament tonight, defeating Southern Arkansas 66-56 at Steelman Field House.

It took UAM (10-14, 6-8 GAC) most of the first half to gain control of the game, but with 7:16 remaining in the period Alex Hart hit a layup in the midst of a 17-0 run by the Blossoms to put them ahead for good, 20-19. The run lasted over five minutes and ended with an and-one from Channon Haywood that set the score at 32-19 with 2:52 left in the half.

UAM went into the break up 36-23 and never looked back. SAU (2-22, 2-12 GAC) managed to pull within four, 41-37, midway through the second half, but another surge by the Blossoms had the lead back out to double-digits by the 9:33 mark.

Alex Hart led the Blossoms with 21 points and five rebounds on 8-of-12 shooting from the floor. Shenelda Levingston led all scorers with 23 points for the Lady Riders. Candace Virgadamo added 12 for UAM while Catherine Puckett and Channon Haywood each had 10.

The Blossoms took advantage of 27 SAU turnovers on the night, converting them into 33 points on the other end. They were out-rebounded by the Lady Riders 34-26. UAM shot 43-percent from the floor (21-of-48), 27-percent from three (3-of-11) and 77-percent from the foul line (21-of-27). For their part, SAU went 21-of-49 from the floor (42-percent) including 2-of-14 from three (14-percent) and 12-of-16 at the line for 75-percent.

UAM will return for the final home game of the 2011-12 season this Thursday night as they host Harding University on Senior Night at Steelman Field House. Come out and see Alex Hart, Jasmine Rush, Taylor Clark, Chelsea Johnson, Channon Haywood, and Jerrica Hubbard play their final game in the home whites. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.