MONTICELLO, Ark. ­– The University of Arkansas at Monticello women's basketball team rolled by Oklahoma Baptist University on Saturday from Steelman Field House in Monticello, Arkansas, 80-30. The Blossoms had four players in double-figures on offense, and on defense, they held the Bison to shoot just 19.2 percent from the floor.

The 50-point difference between UAM and OKBU turned out to be the largest margin of victory for the Blossoms in a Great American Conference game. 

"I'm so proud of the focus these ladies have had this week," said Greg Long. "That was the best team ball we have played all year and they have really maintained their composure. They need to enjoy their time and get refocused for a very tough week coming up. We have to take this momentum on the road with us." 
 
In the first quarter, the Bison and Blossoms were locked in pretty close. With a little over three minutes remaining in the period UAM then went on a 9-1 run. Dezirae King hit a layup to put UAM ahead, 15-11, then Mekaylan Hicks hit a pair of baskets inside. Kayla Bradley followed with a deep three and put the Blossoms ahead, 22-11.
 
UAM stretched its lead all the way to 21 to conclude the first half. With 4:05 remaining in the second, Nina Kizzee made it a 21-point advantage off an assist from Mackenzie Tillman. OBU answered with a bucket, but to conclude the period, Kizzee hit a pair of free throws putting the Blossoms up, 39-18, at halftime.
 
The following period, the Blossoms pushed their lead all the way to 35 due to some great defense and solid offense. They held the Bison to just five points in the third and Berniezha Tidwell got hot at the end drilling a three at the buzzer to make it 60-25 in favor of the Blossoms.
 
Down the stretch, the Bison attempted to get going, but once again just scored five points thanks to some impressive Blossom offense. The scoring barrage continued in the period as the Blossoms added another 20 points to finish off the game, going on to win, 80-30.
 
UAM held Oklahoma Baptist to shoot 19.2 percent from the field and 15.4 percent from downtown while forcing 28 turnovers.
 
The quartet of Tidwell, Bradley, Tillman and Kizzee all finished in double-figures with Tidwell dropping 18 points, and Bradley, Tillman and Kizzee adding 12 apiece.
 
Tidwell also had her second consecutive double-double recording 13 rebounds in the game. On defense, she also registered four steals.
 
Bradley finished with an impressive stat line as well tallying eight assists and four steals.
 
Kizzee joined in on the distribution with five assists of her own.
 
With the win, the Blossoms are now 13-5 overall and 8-4 in GAC games, while Oklahoma Baptist falls to 5-12 overall and 0-12 in the conference.
 
UP NEXT
UAM will hit the road for a long road trip starting on Thursday. The Blossoms will first play at Northwestern Oklahoma State University on Thursday. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.