Box Score (HTML)

MONTICELLO – The University of Arkansas at Monticello women's basketball team kept its spot in the top five of the Great American Conference standings with a 68-56 win over Southwestern Oklahoma State at home on Saturday afternoon.

The Blossoms (7-7, 5-4 GAC) used a 10-2 run from the 5:24 mark of the second half to the 2:43 mark to take a double-digit lead, which the team maintained throughout the rest of the contest. Prior to that run, SWOSU (5-10, 2-7 GAC) trimmed UAM's lead to two points four different times in the second half.

UAM never trailed in the second half, despite a pair of free throws from SWOSU's Jessica Penner on the first possession to force a 30-all tie, the seventh and final tie score of the game.

The Bulldogs led for nearly 11 minutes of the first half, including their biggest lead of five points at the 13:02 mark. Down two points with 48 seconds remaining in the first period, the Blossoms got a jumper from junior Tamia Grady and a fast-break layup from junior Courtni Gibson to take a 30-28 lead into the locker room at halftime.

UAM shot 43 percent from the field in the win, sinking 26-of-61 shots. The Blossoms made 2-of-11 three-pointers and 14-of-20 foul shots. Juniors Jordan Goforth and Nelsha Peterson tied for the team-high with 17 points. Grady added 12 points off the bench, and Gibson finished with 11 points and six assists.

SWOSU shot 37 percent from the field (19-for-52). The Bulldogs made 4-of-24 three-pointers and 14-of-18 foul shots. Jessica Penner led all scorers with 20 points, and she was the only Bulldog scorer to finish in double-figures.

The Blossoms are back in action this Thursday at home against Southern Arkansas. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m. at Steelman Field House.