MONTICELLO, Ark. – The University of Arkansas at Monticello women's basketball team will return to action Saturday when it plays Northwestern Oklahoma State University at 1 p.m. from the Steelman Field House in Monticello, Arkansas. UAM is looking to snap its two-game losing streak.
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UAM VS.
NORTHWESTERN OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY – 1/4 – 1 P.M. –
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GAME DETAILS
Opponent: Northwestern Oklahoma State Rangers
Date: January 2, 2020
Location: Monticello, Arkansas – Steelman Field House
In-Game Updates: Twitter (@UAMsports)
Last Played: January 31, 2019 in Monticello (L, 53-42)
UAM PRIMER
2019-20 Record: 8-3
2019-20 GAC Record: 3-2
Head Coach: Greg Long, First Season (8-3)
SCOUTING THE BLOSSOMS
UAM is looking to improve off a 72-61 loss against No. 21 Southwestern Oklahoma State University on Thursday. The Blossoms never got anything going on offense until the second half and were unable to make a comeback. As for NWOSU, the Rangers are coming off a commanding 77-49 win over Southern Arkansas University on Thursday.
These two teams last met on January 31st, 2019 in Monticello. The Blossoms lost that contest, 53-42. UAM struggled offensively in that matchup shooting just 26.5 percent from the field and 16.7 percent from downtown.
UAM is currently riding a two-game losing streak after closing out 2019 with a loss at Delta State University and starting 2020 with a loss against SWOSU. Although there have been recent struggles, UAM is still 21st in NCAA Division II in scoring defense (55.0 ppg) and 41st in scoring margin (+14.1). UAM also first in both of those categories in the GAC.
On offense, UAM is scoring 69.1 points per contest shooting 41.9 percent from the field and 27.7 percent from the three-point line. The Blossoms are struggling at the free-throw line so far this year going just 147-of-217 (67.7%).
In the rebounding category, UAM has a rebounding margin of +7.7 getting 41.7 boards per contest while holding opponents to 34.0 rebounds per game.
On defense, the Blossoms are forcing 21.0 turnovers per contest and have a +4.2-turnover margin. UAM has managed 9.9 steals per game and 2.1 blocks per game.
UAM is led by
Berniezha Tidwell who is averaging 16.5 points per contest, 6.5 rebounds per game and 4.0 assists per game. On defense, she is 44th in the country in steals per game with 2.7 as she has totaled 27 steals in 10 games.
Mackenzie Tillman is second on the roster in points per contest at 9.7 points per game. She also adds 3.0 rebounds per contest and 1.1 assists per game.
Mekaylan Hicks is third on the roster in scoring at 9.4 points per game while being second on the roster in rebounds per game at 6.1. She is also shooting 56.6 percent from the field while being tied for the team lead in blocks with five.
NORTHWESTERN OKLAHOMA STATE PRIMER
2019-20 Record: 7-4
2019-20 GAC Record: 3-2
Head Coach: Teri Diesselhorst, Fourth Season (41-57)
SCOUTING THE RANGERS
The Rangers are riding a two-game win streak dating back to their final game of 2019. NWOSU's last two wins were both GAC victories with one over East Central (76-68) and their most recent win over SAU (77-49).
The Rangers have a pair of scorers averaging at least 10.0 points per game in Bailey Brown (15.8 ppg) and Kalea King (14.5 ppg). Brown is shooting 53.4 percent from the floor while King is shooting 45.9 percent.
Brown is also the team's top rebounder averaging 8.5 boards per game while King is second on the roster tallying 5.9 per game.
Jakeria Otey has also been pretty solid for the Rangers averaging 9.0 points per game totaling 24 assists and leading the team in steals with 36.
UP NEXT
UAM will hit the road to play Southeastern Oklahoma State University on Thursday. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m.
