BOX SCORE

MAGNOLIA, Ark. – The University of Arkansas at Monticello women’s basketball team shot 49 percent from the field, forced 31 turnovers and tied a Great American Conference single-game record with 22 steals in a 76-40 win over Southern Arkansas Thursday night on the road.

With the win, the Cotton Blossoms (6-19, 3-16 GAC) have clinched the No. 8 seed in the Great American Conference Championship Tournament to be held March 7-10 in Bartlesville, Okla. at the Bruin Fieldhouse.

UAM jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, holding a double-digit lead at the 13:26 mark of the first half, a 20-point lead at the 6:38 mark and a 30-point lead at the 3:00 minute mark. UAM held SAU to single-digits in scoring until the 1:48 mark of the opening period. The Blossoms outscored SAU 47-11 in the first half.

UAM held its largest lead of 47 points on two different occasions in the second half.

As a team, UAM shot 49.1 percent from the field (27-of-55) and 67 percent from the free-throw line (22-of-33). The Blossoms held SAU to a 20 percent shooting performance, allowing the Lady Muleriders (0-24, 0-19 GAC) to connect on just 12-of-61 field goal attempts.

UAM placed five scorers in double-digits, led by junior Raija McWright with a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds in 21 minutes off the bench. Freshman Jordan Goforth added 14 points, followed by senior Candace Virgadamo with 12, junior Ashley Qualls with 11 and sophomore Catherine Puckett with 10.

SAU was led by Katherine McBride with a double-double of 14 points and a game-high 15 rebounds.

The Cotton Blossoms close the regular season on Saturday, March 2 on the road against Ouachita Baptist. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. at Bill Vining Arena in Arkadelphia, Ark.