ALVA, Okla. – The University of Arkansas at Monticello women's basketball team lost in a Great American Conference contest on the road at Northwestern Oklahoma State University on Thursday, 68-51. Overall, the Blossoms struggled to shoot on the day, but Berniezha Tidwell and Mackenzie Tillman both finished in double-figures with 17 points and 11 points, respectively.
 
It was a tough loss for the Blossoms after winning three games in a row at home. UAM starts off its four-game road trip with a tough loss, but will be back in action on Saturday.
 
"I am disappointed with the loss. I don't think that we have been focused this week and it showed up tonight," said head coach Greg Long. "Give Northwestern Oklahoma State credit. They played with energy and completely out worked us. This loss hurts, but it does not define us. We have to figure some things out tomorrow to get ready for SWOSU."
 
After the first, the Blossoms and Rangers were pretty evenly matched up. There was a lot of back-and-forth scoring throughout the period and the Blossoms got buckets from Jaida Muhammad, Kayla Bradley, Nina Kizzee and Tidwell to head into the second knotted up, 11-11.
 
UAM took a lead with a little over four minutes remaining in the period. Down by one, Tillman nailed a three-point shot to put the Blossoms up, 24-22. The Rangers responded with a basket, but Mekaylan Hicks answered back as well with a free throw.
 
Shortly after, NWOSU went on a run to close out the period to take a 37-29 lead into halftime.
 
It continued from there for the Rangers as they continued to push their lead ahead in the third quarter. By the end of the period, the Blossoms finished with just nine points and were behind going into the fourth, 48-38.
 
NWOSU stretched its lead all the way to 22 at one point in the fourth, but the Blossoms fought back toward the end. However, it was not enough as they fell on the road, 68-51.
 
Tidwell finished with 17 points, five rebounds, five assists and five steals, while Tillman had 11 points and two boards.
 
As a team, UAM shot 37.0 percent from the field and 16.7 percent from the free-throw line.
 
With the loss, the Blossoms fall to 13-6 overall and 8-5 in league games. NWOSU improves to 10-9 overall and 6-7 in GAC contests. The Blossoms are now tied for sixth in the GAC.
 
UP NEXT
UAM will hit the road for Weatherford, Oklahoma to play Southwestern Oklahoma State University on Saturday. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.