ADA, Okla. – The University of Arkansas at Monticello women's basketball team earned a Great American Conference road victory over East Central University on Saturday, 59-55, from the Kerr Activities Center in Ada, Oklahoma. Berniezha Tidwell led UAM scorers with 22 points, while Nina Kizzee and Mekaylan Hicks added 11 and 10 points, respectively.
 
"I am so proud of these ladies. This was a very tough place to play," said Greg Long. "This was a great team win. Berniezha had a great night scoring and MK has put multiple games together, but Nina got us going and gave us a lot of things when we had to have them. Now we have to re-focus and get ready for a very tough week."
 
It was slow-moving early for the Blossoms as East Central went on a 9-0 run to begin the game. UAM responded with some solid free-throw shooting in the first quarter. To conclude the quarter, ECU went on another stretch to take a 13-6 lead into the second.
 
UAM responded exceptionally well in the second quarter taking a lead into the break. Down 17-9, Tidwell hit a jumper, and Kizzee drained a three to cut the deficit to three points. Hicks then got in on the action with a nice basket inside and also drawing a foul. She hit the free throw to tie the game, 17-17. The following possession, Kizzee hit a layup inside and got fouled. She also would hit the free throw to put UAM ahead, 20-17. A few more points would be scored on both sides, but the Blossoms took a 22-21 lead into halftime.
 
ECU showed some more fight in the third quarter. The Tigers kept the game tight throughout even taking five-point lead with eight minutes left in the period, 27-22. UAM responded with a little run of its own earning baskets from Hicks, Mackenzie Tillman and Tidwell to take a lead, 29-27. The game remained close throughout the remainder of the quarter, but UAM had a 37-34 lead at the end of the third.
 
The fourth quarter was no different with each team fighting to keep the game close. With ECU up 49-48, UAM made a big lead change. Jaida Muhammad earned herself a basket to put the Blossoms back up one and then Tidwell and Kizzee got back into it with a couple baskets of their own. UAM would rely on free throws and getting fouled in the final few minutes eventually earning the win, 59-55.
 
Tidwell managed 22 points, seven rebounds and four steals on the day, while Hicks had 10 points, three boards and two steals. Kizzee also finished strong with 11 points and eight rebounds
 
With the win, the Blossoms improve to 10-4 overall and 5-3 in GAC play, while ECU is 3-11 overall and 1-7 in conference contests.
 
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UAM will conclude its three-game road trip with a contest at Southern Arkansas University on Thursday. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m.