MONTICELLO — The University of Arkansas at Monticello women's basketball team opened the second round of Great American Conference games with a 58-54 loss at home to Southeastern Oklahoma State on Thursday.

The Blossoms (8-8, 5-7 GAC) started slowly, failing to score for the first three minutes of the contest before a pair of Jordan Goforth free throws put UAM on the board. The teams traded baskets early on, and the Savage Storm held a 9-6 lead halfway through the opening quarter.  Consecutive baskets by freshman guard Ayesha Wahid knotted the game at 11 with two minutes remaining.

Southeastern (7-11, 5-7 GAC) got an early contribution from center Emem David, who scored six of the team's first nine points.  The Savage Storm was able to extend their lead to four with a minute to go in the period, but Wahid's second three-pointer of the quarter gave the Blossoms their first lead of the game, which ended up holding through the end of the period, 18-17.
 
The teams continued their back-and forth battle to start the second period, with neither team creating separation.  Southeastern missed six of their first seven shots in the period, but UAM was unable to take advantage, keeping the score close and tied at 24-all midway through.  The Savage Storm hit three consecutive three-pointers as a part of a 9-2 run to extend its lead to seven at halftime, 33-26 .
 
The second half began with more hot shooting from range for the visitors from Durant, as they hit their fourth straight three to take a brief 10-point lead before Wahid's third trey of the game brought the Blossoms to with seven, 36-29.  The Savage Storm's extended run was 19-7 and lasted nearly nine minutes to allow for an eight-point lead at the midway point of the period.  The Blossoms struggled from the floor in the quarter, shooting just 29 percent, and trailed by 11 after three, 48-37.
 
The final stanza saw the Blossoms open up on a 12-4 run to close the gap to within three, 52-49.  The defense stiffened and did not allow the Savage Storm to score for the first four minutes of the quarter.  UAM hit six of their first eight shots in the frame. 

A pair of Goforth free throws brought the Blossoms to within two, 55-53, with 3:30 left in the contest.  The teams went scoreless for the next three minutes. Southeastern hit three of four free throws to close the game out and won by the final margin of 58-54.
 
The Blossoms shot 37 percent from the field for the game on 22 of 59 shooting and were led by Ayesha Wahid's game-high 19 points.  Jordan Goforth joined her in double-figures, notching a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds.
 
Kaylie Baxter led Southeastern with 14 points.

UAM closes out their home stand Saturday against East Central.  Tipoff for the matchup is at 1 p.m. at Steelman Field House.