BARTLESVILLE, Oklahoma – The University of Arkansas at Monticello women's basketball team extended the 2014-15 season on Thursday night with the program's first ever win in the four-year history of the Great American Conference Championship Tournament, defeating East Central by a final score of 63-54.

No. 5 seed UAM (14-12) trailed early in the contest by as much as seven points midway through the first half. Junior Nikki Mullen went 9-for-10 at the free throw line in the win, and used a pair of made foul shots at the 6:19 mark of the opening period to force a 17-all tie. Following an ECU turnover on the other end, the Blossoms took their first lead on a layup from sophomore Tori Nichols on the next possession.

UAM used an 18-4 run during the span of eight minutes late in the first half to take a 27-23 lead into the locker room at the break.

In the second half, the Blossoms led for all but one possession. Fifth-seeded East Central created the final tie score at the 16:57 mark of the second half on a jumper from Dilan Webster.

The Blossoms reached their largest lead of nine points on a layup from junior Nelsha Peterson at the 11:45 mark of the second half to cap an 8-1 scoring run.

ECU (15-12) trimmed UAM's lead to two points at 48-46 with 6:29 remaining. UAM's first-team all-conference selection, junior Jordan Goforth, took over from there, scoring nine straight points for the Blossoms to hold off a final ECU rally.

Mullen made five free throws in the final minute to keep the Blossoms up by at least five points. She finished with only one made field goal and nine made free throws for a double-digit total of 11 points.

Goforth led all scorers with 24 points on an 8-for-18 shooting performance. Nichols followed with 13 points and a team-high eight rebounds.

The Blossoms ended the game shooting 42 percent from the field (21-for-50), 46 percent on three-pointers (5-for-11) and 80 percent on foul shots (16-for-20).

ECU finished at 37 percent from the field (23-for-62). Erin Walling led the Lady Tigers with 14 points. Dilan Webster added a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds.

The Blossoms advance to the GAC semi-finals to face off against No. 1 seed Harding on Saturday. Tipoff is set for 2:15 p.m. The regular season co-champions cruised past Southern Arkansas by a final score of 80-48 on Thursday in their opening-round contest.