MONTICELLO, Ark. – The University of Arkansas at Monticello women's basketball team will gear up for a trip to Northwestern Oklahoma State University on Thursday for a 5:30 tipoff, and a matchup at Southwestern Oklahoma State University on Saturday at 1 p.m.
 
COVERAGE LINKS
UAM GAME NOTES – NWOSU and SWOSU
UAM PREVIEW VIDEO WITH GREG LONG AND BERNIEZHA TIDWELL
UAM AT NORTHWESTERN OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY – 1/30 – 5:30 P.M. – LIVE STATS, LIVE VIDEO
UAM AT SOUTHWESTERN OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY – 2/1 – 1 P.M. – LIVE STATS, LIVE VIDEO
 
THURSDAY'S GAME DETAILS
Opponent: Northwestern Oklahoma State University
Date: January 30, 2020
Location: Alva, Oklahoma – Percefull Field House
In-Game Updates: Twitter (@UAMsports)
Last Played: January 4, 2020 in Monticello (W, 57-56)
 
SATURDAY'S GAME DETAILS
Opponent: Southwestern Oklahoma State University
Date: February 1, 2020
Location: Weatherford, Oklahoma – Pioneer Cellular Event Center
In-Game Updates: Twitter (@UAMsports)
Last Played: January 2, 2020 in Monticello (L, 72-61)
 
UAM PRIMER
2019-20 Record: 13-5
2019-20 GAC Record: 8-4
Head Coach: Greg Long, First Season (13-5)
 
SCOUTING THE BLOSSOMS
Last time out, UAM had a historic win over Oklahoma Baptist University, 80-30. It was the largest margin of victory for the Blossoms in the NCAA/GAC era. NWOSU is coming off a loss at Arkansas Tech, 70-51 and SWOSU is coming off a 64-63 loss at Harding. All games were played on Saturday.
 
UAM's win on Saturday was also very impressive in the fact that they held OKBU to shoot 19.2 percent from the field, which was also the lowest field goal percentage surrendered in a game since that statistic was recorded in the record books in 2006-07. They also held the Bison to just 30 points which was also the lowest amount of points surrendered in a game for the Blossoms in the NCAA/GAC era.
 
The Blossoms still remain one of the best defenses in the country ranking 27th in the country in scoring defense (56.7 ppg), 33rd in turnovers forced per game (20.1) and 34th in the country in steals per game (10.9).
 
On the offensive end, UAM is scoring 68.6 points per game shooting 42.8 percent from the field and 28.8 percent from downtown.
 
Led by the reigning GAC Player of the Week Berniezha Tidwell who is averaging 16.9 points per game shooting 47.0 percent from the field and 34.1 percent beyond the arc. She also leads the team in rebounds per game (7.2) assists per game (3.5) and steals (52)
 
Mackenzie Tillman also adds some solid offensive numbers averaging 10.9 points per contest shooting 49.3 percent from the field and 32.4 percent from downtown.
 
Mekaylan Hicks has been next on UAM's list of top performers averaging 9.1 points per game shooting a team-best 56.7 percent from the field. She is also second to Tidwell in rebounds per game at 5.3.
 
NORTHWESTERN OKLAHOMA STATE PRIMER
2019-20 Record: 9-9
2019-20 GAC Record: 5-7
Head Coach: Tasha Diesselhorst, Fourth Season at NWOSU (43-62)
 
SCOUTING THE RANGERS
NWOSU is averaging 67.8 points per game holding opponents to score 67.2 points on defense. They shoot 40.3 percent from the field as a team while opponents shoot 39.6 percent from the field.
 
The Rangers have a trio of players averaging at least 10 points per game in Kalea King (14.3), Bailey Brown (13.9) and Jakeria Otey (10.8).
 
Brown is also the team's top rebounder snagging 7.9 boards per game while King averages 5.2 per contest behind her.
 
SOUTHWESTERN OKLAHOMA STATE PRIMER
2019-20 Record: 12-6
2019-20 GAC Record: 7-5
Head Coach: Kelsi Musick, 11th Season at SWOSU (203-114)
 
SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS
As for SWOSU, prior to Thursday's games the Bulldogs score 76.8 points per game surrendering 69.8 points per contest. SWOSU shoots 38.3 percent from the field and 32.3 percent from downtown.
 
Makyra Tramble, Maddie Sperle, Bethany Franks and Taber beer are all averaging at least 10.0 points per contest. Tramble leads the way averaging 13.7, Sperle adds 12.6, Franks adds 10.9 and Beer records 10.6 points per game.
 
Franks and Tramble have been trading the top rebounder on the team with Franks averaging 7.0 and Tramble recording 6.9 behind her.
 
UP NEXT
UAM will head to Searcy, Arkansas for a Great American Conference meeting at Harding University on February 6th. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.