ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – The University of Arkansas at Monticello women's basketball team won a close battle at Ouachita Baptist University on Saturday night at the Vining Arena in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. With the win, the Blossoms move to 6-0 overall for the first time since 1976-77.
It proved to be a big second half for UAM as it trailed at the break. UAM used some great shooting in the second period to come from behind an earn the win.
The Blossoms struggled in the first half to shoot the ball closing out the first with a rocky 30.7 field goal percentage. With the score at 18-7 in favor of the Tigers nearing the end of the first quarter, the Blossoms needed to make a move.
Kayla Bradley was there to provide some assistance drilling a three, and later snagging a steal and hitting a pair of free throws to cut the deficit to six points before the start of quarter two.
The Tigers did make some moves early in the second period to get their lead back up, but in the closing minutes of the second quarter, UAM made a push that would swing some momentum in its favor. With 2:24 remaining and UAM down 23-16,
Nina Kizzee got to the line for a pair of free throws. The Tigers responded with a layup, but
Dezirae King drilled a pair of big threes to cut the lead to one. OBU hit a pair of free throws to close out the quarter, but the Blossoms cut into the deficit at the break.
Early in the third, UAM took its first lead of the game when MacKenzie Tillman got in on the action with a triple putting UAM ahead, 32-30. The Tigers did go back ahead and took a seven-point lead to end the third quarter. UAM needed a big turnaround in the fourth.
To open the final quarter of play, the Blossoms went on a six-point run to tie the contest, 48-48. OBU tallied a score in response, but Bradley answered with a big layup in the paint to give UAM the lead.
The teams continued to trade leads until the final two minutes. With 1:56 left, King drew a foul with UAM down 60-59, and hit both free throws putting the Blossoms in front. Tillman then hit a big jumper from the wing to put UAM ahead by three. The Blossoms then played solid defense in the final 90 seconds, holding on for the win, 63-60.
Berniezha Tidwell led the Blossoms in scoring with 14 points. She also managed seven rebounds.
Bradley finished with 13 points, two rebounds and an assist. She also rallied for a pair of steals.
UAM improves to 6-0 overall and 2-0 in conference games, while OBU falls to 0-5 overall and 0-2 in league contests.
UP NEXT
UAM will take a break for the holiday and return to action on December 3 with a matchup against Crowleys Ridge College at 6:30 p.m. at the Steelman Field House.
