SEARCY, Arkansas — The University of Arkansas at Monticello women's basketball team concluded a three-game road swing with an 80-52 loss to Harding on Thursday night at the Rhodes-Reaves Field House.

In the first period, Harding (8-3, 6-1 Great American Conference) jumped out to an 8-2 lead in the first five minutes and maintained at least a three-point lead through the opening period.

The Lady Bisons began to pull away in the second period, grabbing their first double-digit lead at the 8:41 mark and later using an 8-0 run to hold their biggest lead of the first half at 18 points with 4:38 remaining before halftime. HU led 39-25 at the break.

The Blossoms (7-4, 4-3 GAC) were their own worst enemy in the first two periods with nine turnovers and seven missed foul shots.

UAM cut the deficit down to single-digits early in the third period, but the Lady Bisons used a string of three straight made three-pointers to get on top by 22 heading into the final 10 minutes. HU maintained at least a 20-point lead throughout the remainder of regulation.

UAM finished the game at 34 percent from the field (18-for-53), 22 percent on three-pointers (2-for-9) and 44 percent on foul shots (12-for-27). Senior Jordan Goforth led the Blossoms with 11 points in a season-low 31 minutes played due to foul trouble. Sophomore Taylor Collins and junior Tori Nichols followed with eight and seven points, respectively. Sophomore Cheridan Burroughs paced UAM in rebounding with nine.

Harding finished at 49 percent from the field and made a total of 11 three-pointers. HU's Mackenzie McNamara led all scorers with 15 points.

The Blossoms open a three-game home stand on Saturday against Henderson State. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. at Steelman Field House.