Box Score (HTML)

MONTICELLO – The University of Arkansas at Monticello women's basketball team secured a spot next month's Great American Conference Championship Tournament with a 65-50 win over Southeastern Oklahoma State at home on Thursday night.

The Blossoms (12-9, 10-6 GAC) were outscored 29-25 in the second half, but used a big halftime advantage of 40-21 to secure the win. Overall, UAM limited a Southeastern offense that came into the game averaging nearly 75 points per game to just 50, which is a season-low for the Savage Storm.

UAM opened the game outscoring Southeastern 17-3 in the first eight minutes. The Blossoms stretched that 14-point lead to as much as 20 points in the first half with a 36-16 lead at the 2:58 mark on a three-pointer from true freshman Taylor Collins.

The Blossoms maintained its double-digit advantage throughout the second half, leading by as much as 23 points on a trey from junior Courtni Gibson with 4:35 remaining in regulation.

UAM finished the game shooting 45 percent from the field (25-for-56) and 85 percent on foul shots (11-for-13). Junior Nelsha Peterson led all scorers with 15 points and 11 rebounds for her first double-double of the season. Sophomore Tori Nichols added 11 points and seven rebounds, while Collins finished with 10 points in 16 minutes off the bench.

The Savage Storm (15-8, 8-7 GAC) finished at 29 percent from the field (15-for-51), including a 6-for-22 outing on three-pointers. Cheree Kiser led Southeastern with 12 points. UAM held two of Southeastern's starters to zero points.

UAM is back in action next week with the longest road trip of the season, traveling to Southwestern Oklahoma State on Thursday night and then to Northwestern Oklahoma State on Saturday.