MONTICELLO, Ark. – The University of Arkansas at Monticello women's basketball team will begin the 2020 portion of its schedule with a Great American Conference contest against No. 21 Southwestern Oklahoma State University at the Steelman Field House in Monticello, Arkansas at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday.
 
LIVE COVERAGE LINKS
UAM VS. #21 SOUTHWESTERN OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY – 1/2 – 5:30 P.M. – LIVE STATS, LIVE VIDEO
 
GAME DETAILS
Opponent: #21 Southwestern Oklahoma State Bulldogs
Date: January 2, 2020
Location: Monticello, Arkansas – Steelman Field House
In-Game Updates: Twitter (@UAMsports)
Last Played: February 1, 2019 in Monticello (L, 100-78)
 
UAM PRIMER
2019-20 Record: 8-2
2019-20 GAC Record: 3-1
Head Coach: Greg Long, First Season (8-2)
 
SCOUTING THE BLOSSOMS
The Blossoms enter the game with an 8-2 overall record and a 3-1 record in Great American Conference play. The Bulldogs carry the same records in overall and conference play.
 
UAM last played on December 18, 2019 on the road at Delta State University. The Blossoms lost that matchup, 79-59. The remainder of UAM's games on its regular season schedule are all GAC Contests.
 
The Blossoms and Bulldogs last met on February 1st, 2019 in Monticello. UAM lost that contest, 100-78. Berniezha Tidwell was the Blossoms second-leading scorer tallying 17 points while also recording four steals and three assists in the contest.
 
Although UAM lost its final game of the 2019 schedule, the Blossoms are off to their best 10-game start in years. Much of that is due to being ranked 18th in the country scoring defense (53.3 ppg), 27th in scoring margin (+16.6) and 30th in turnover margin (+5.2).
 
The Blossoms enter the game scoring 69.9 points per game and holding opponents to score 53.3. UAM is shooting 42.3 percent from the floor and 28.7 percent from the three-point line. UAM is also shooting 68.6 percent from the free-throw line and averaging 41.4 rebounds per contest while also dishing out 11.7 assists per game.
 
As for individual performances, UAM is led by Tidwell and Mekaylan Hicks on the offensive side and defensive side. Tidwell is averaging 17.1 points per game, 6.3 rebounds per game and 3.8 assists per contest. She also has totaled 26 steals and four blocks. Hicks is third on the roster in scoring averaging 9.3 points per game, is second in rebounds per game at 5.9 and has tallied three blocks and 15 steals.
 
Off the bench, Mackenzie Tillman is third on the roster in points per game (10.3), averages 3.2 rebounds per contest and is shooting 47.3 percent from the floor.
 
Kayla Bradley is fourth on the roster in scoring at 8.1 points per contest while also ranking second in assists with 22.  
 
SOUTHWESTERN OKLAHOMA STATE PRIMER
2019-20 Record: 8-2
2019-20 GAC Record: 3-1
NABC Ranking: No. 21
Head Coach: Kelsi Musick, 11th Season (199-110)
 
SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS
The Bulldogs enter this contest ranked 21st in the latest NABC Coaches Poll. The Lady Dawgs have won four straight games following their lone conference loss.
 
SWOSU has won six consecutive matchups against UAM.
 
Head Coach Kelsi Musick enters the game with 199 career wins.
 
Maddie Sperle and Makrya Tramble are the team's top scorers at 16.6 points per game and 13.5 points per game.
 
Bethany Franks is the team's top rebounder averaging 8.1 per contest while also averaging 11.0 points per contest.
 
UP NEXT
UAM will continue its two-game homestand with a GAC matchup against Northwestern Oklahoma State on Saturday at 1 p.m.