Box Score BARTLESVILLE, Okla. – The UAM women’s basketball team saw the 2011-12 season come to an end today in the opening round of the GAC Basketball Tournament, falling to Ouachita Baptist 74-72.

The Lady Tigers (18-9) jumped out to a 5-0 lead and held that lead until the 7:36 mark in the second half. The Blossoms (11-16) kept the game close throughout, allowing OBU no further than 11 points ahead. For most of the game they were no more than two possessions ahead.

Down five, 62-57, with 9:02 remaining in the game, the Blossoms sparked a 5-0 run off free throws from Candace Virgadamo and Channon Haywood. The two points set up Chelsea Johnson to tie the score for the first time since 0-0 with a layup-free throw combination to tie the score at 62 with 7:36 left to play.

UAM held on to the lead for the next 7:32, keeping one step ahead of the Tigers as the time ticked away. The Blossoms had some trouble late getting the ball inside, as the Blossoms had four turnovers in the final four minutes of the game allowing OBU to creep back and tie the score at 72 with 51 seconds on the clock.

Ouachita’s A’Laeshia Adams hit a layup with four seconds remaining to hand the Lady Tigers the two-point lead. The Blossoms got the ball under the basket and called a timeout with 3.7 seconds left on the clock with one last chance to retie the game or win outright with a three.

Coach Tanya Ray set up the play and the Blossoms executed it with precision, dishing the ball to Alex Hart as she drove the length of the court and put up a jumper from the foul line as time expired. The ball bounced around the back of the rim and ricocheted harmlessly away, ending the Blossom’s season in heart-breaking fashion.

Chelsea Johnson led all scorers in her final collegiate game with 23 points on 9-of-16 shooting from the floor, she was 2-of-4 from three and 3-of-3 from the charity stripe. Taylor Clark finished with 14 points in 33 minutes to round out those in double figures for the Blossoms. Nashia James led the Lady Tigers with 13 points in 28 minutes.

UAM shot 45-percent as a team, going 26-of-57 from the field, including 6-of-12 from three and 14-of-20 (70-percent) from the foul line. OBU shot 29-of-63 from the floor for 46-percent, including 7-of-24 (29-percent) from three. They were 9-of-12 from the foul line for 75-percent.

The Lady Tigers will advance to the semi-final tomorrow to take on the winner of the Southwestern Oklahoma State – East Central game.