MONTICELLO — The University of Arkansas at Monticello women's basketball team began a three-game home stand on Saturday with a 77-54 Great American Conference win over Henderson State.

The Blossoms (8-4, 5-3 GAC) began quickly, jumping out to a 17-8 lead over the Reddies five minutes into the game as UAM was active on both sides of the ball, hitting seven of their first nine shots to start the game and going on a 15-5 run to build the lead.  UAM continued its hot shooting and shot 56 percent from the floor in the first period and led 24-15 after one behind the hot shooting of senior forward Jordan Goforth who had 13 points in the period.

Henderson State (6-8, 5-3 GAC) began the second stanza on a 9-2 run to close to within two at 26-24 with eight minutes to go in the half.  The Reddies closed to within one before the Blossoms pushed it back to a 30-27 advantage halfway through the second. 
 
Foul trouble plagued the Blossoms early with Cheridan Burroughs picking up four first half fouls and Mia Hayes picking up three, but UAM was able to recover and took an 11-point lead into the locker room at 41-30, closing out the half on a 9-0 run as part of a 13-3 extended run over the final 4:59.  UAM shot 48 percent from the floor in the half while holding HSU to 39 percent and holding the Reddies scoreless for the final 4 minutes of the half.
 
To begin the second half, the teams traded baskets as HSU's Dulincia Keener ended the Reddies' six minute scoring drought before UAM reeled off seven straight to give the Blossoms an 18-point lead at 50-32 with just under seven minutes remaining in the third quarter.  UAM later posted 28-7 run to grow its lead balloon to 21 at 56-35.  UAM's shooting cooled to end the quarter, hitting just one of their final seven attempts, but still took an 18-point lead into the final frame, leading 61-43.
 
Mia Hayes got the scoring going for the Blossoms in the fourth period with a driving layup and the team began the quarter on a 11-0 run to lead 72-43 with 4:30 remaining in the game. 
 
The Blossoms finished the night at 43 percent from the field (24 for 56), 38 percent on three-pointers (6 for 16) and 85 percent on foul shots (23 for 27). Goforth led all scorers with 27 points and was one of four Blossoms players in double-figures, joined by Nikki Mullen with 12 and Cheridan Burroughs and Mia Hayes, each with 10.

The Reddies shot 33 percent from the field (17 for 51), 40 percent on three-pointers (6 for 15), and 47 percent on foul shots (14 for 30). HSU's Dulincia Keener led the Reddies with 19 points.

UAM is back in action on Monday at home against Southern Arkansas. Tipoff is 5:30 p.m. at Steelman Field House.