MONTICELLO, Ark. – The University of Arkansas at Monticello women's basketball team improved to 7-0 to start the 2019-20 campaign when it defeated Crowley's Ridge College 88-32 at the Steelman Field House in Monticello, Arkansas on Tuesday. The Blossoms held the Pioneers to shoot 38.5 percent from the floor and just 6.7 percent from downtown.
 
The Pioneers' 32 points scored were the lowest total UAM has surrendered this season.
 
UAM got off to an early start leading in the first media timeout 19-4. Later, the Blossoms pushed their lead to 20 points to finish the first quarter when Kyiah Julian drained a three on a fastbreak. The Blossoms led, 26-6 to end the first.
 
In the second, Mackenzie Tillman got going with a triple to help push UAM's lead to 36 points. With 4:55 remaining in the half, Julian hit a pair of free throws, and later, the Pioneers would score one of their two points of the quarter with a free throw. To close out the half, Tillman hit a layup as time expired to give the Blossoms a 56-8 lead at the break.
 
The second half was more of the same as UAM continued its scoring output and holding the Pioneers to just eight points in the third quarter. Tillman stayed hot throughout the quarter and the Blossoms also got some contributions off the bench as Lynah Bontiff got on the stat sheet with a pair of baskets. Dezirae King and Shania Smith also added some points off the bench as UAM took a 76-17 lead into the fourth quarter.
 
The Blossoms would add 22 more points in the fourth and also hold Crowley's Ridge to 15 points, ultimately winning the game, 88-32.
 
Tillman paced all scorers with 19 points while also adding six rebounds and one assist.
 
UAM also had a trio of other players in double-figures in Julian (13 points), Mekaylan Hicks (12 points) and Smith (10 points).
 
Jaida Muhammad added nine points of her own while also leading the team in steals with six.
 
UAM forced 36 turnovers on the day and scored 45 points off turnovers.
 
With the win, UAM improves to 7-0 for the first time since 1976-77.
 
UP NEXT
UAM will be back in action Saturday when it travels to Arkansas Tech University for a Great American Conference matchup. Tipoff is slated for 1 p.m.