MONTICELLO, Ark. – The University of Arkansas at Monticello women's basketball team defeated Lincoln University of Missouri, 68-37, to conclude the Central Region Challenge at the Steelman Field House in Monticello, Arkansas on Saturday night. UAM shot 43.3 percent from the floor and had two players in double-figures for scoring in Berniezha Tidwell and Mackenzie Tillman.
 
UAM led right from the start and continued its stretch of outstanding defense as it coasted to win.
 
The Blue Tigers kept it tight early in the first quarter, but UAM pulled away down the stretch. Brandashia Hargraves, Mekaylan Hicks and Tillman aided in that final stretch combining for the team's last eight points of the quarter, leading 17-10.
 
To start the second, it was all UAM as it scored the first nine points of the quarter. Tillman highlighted the end of the scoring run when she got a three-point play on a foul by Natasha Elliot.
 
The Blossoms continued their offensive push tallying 18 more points and taking a 34-18 lead into halftime.
 
Out of the gate in the third, Tidwell got fans out of their seats drilling a three from the corner to put the Blossoms up, 37-19. A few plays later, she would add five more points on a jumper in the paint and a triple off an assist from Jaida Muhammad to put the Blossoms ahead, 43-22.
 
Muhammad would add to the score herself a little later hitting a three of her own and Tidwell would made it 16-point advantage later on with a layup. UAM went on to lead at the end of the third quarter, 52-29.
 
Tidwell and Tillman continued their scoring stretches in the fourth helping the team take a 37-point lead at one point. UAM went on to win, 68-37.
 
Besides Tidwell and Tillman, Kayla Bradley and Muhammad registered solid games with Bradley recording eight points, seven steals and seven assists, and Muhammad tallying eight points, three rebounds and an assist.
 
The Blossoms forced 26 turnovers and had 17 total steals.
 
UAM improves to 2-0 to begin a season for the first time since the 2013-14 year. That year, the Blossoms beat Lindenwood and LeMoyne to start their campaign.
 
UP NEXT
The Blossoms will hit the road for the first time this season when they play at Mississippi College on Tuesday. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.