MONTICELLO - The University of Arkansas at Monticello women's basketball team defeated Great American Conference rival Southern Arkansas by a final score of 66-49 at home Monday evening. 

Arkansas-Monticello (11-11, 8-10 GAC) was locked in an intense rivalry match-up in the opening half against the Muleriders of SAU (5-17, 3-15 GAC), as the Blossoms only held a slim 32-29 lead at the half. UAM began to take over this contest late in the second half after building a 20-4 run against Southern Arkansas, to be able to put the game away by the final buzzer with a final score of 66-49.

Offensively UAM was led by Treasure Evans with 18 total points on 5-of-10 shooting from the floor. Evans pulled down nine total rebounds in the game and added one assist to her stat-line as well.

Junior Taylor Collins and sophomore Ayesha Wahid provided 14 points and 10 points respectively in the match-up also. Collins added a game-high four made three-pointers to help fuel the offensive unit. Senior Nelsha Peterson created a solid overall stat-line with eight points, five assists, two blocks, and a game-high 13 rebounds. 

Final team statistics on the evening for UAM included shooting 37 percent (20-for-54) from the field, 36 percent (5-for-14) on three-pointers, and 72 percent (21-for-29) on free throws. SAU finished the game shooting 33 percent (19-for-58) overall, 20 percent on three's (2-for-10), and 56 percent (9-for-16) on foul shots.

The Blossoms will return to the court next on Thursday, February 16 as UAM travels to Russellville, Arkansas to face GAC opponent Arkansas Tech University with tip-off scheduled for 5:30 p.m.