MONTICELLO, Ark. – The University of Arkansas at Monticello women's basketball team defeated Northwestern Oklahoma State University on Saturday from the Steelman Field House in Monticello, Arkansas. A free throw hit by Kayla Bradley in the final second of the contest proved to be difference as the Blossoms went on to win, 57-56.
 
It was a tightly contested game throughout as the largest lead for either opponent was just five points.
 
Right from the tip, both teams were active on defense. In a back-and-forth first quarter, UAM found itself ahead five points after Dezirae King hit a three to make the score, 13-8. The Rangers would go on to tie the game following a couple baskets and a free throw.
 
The Rangers then took the lead in the second quarter forcing the Blossoms to try and come back. UAM tied the game back up with a little over five minutes left. Following a three from Jaida Muhammad, NWOSU answered back with a three of its own, but Berniezha Tidwell would follow with a bucket and have a chance for an and-one. She would hit the free throw to knot the game up, 23-23.
 
The Blossoms then took back the lead shortly after when Pamela Bethel got free for a bucket after a nice dish from Nina Kizzee. UAM added another bucket in the final few minutes, but the Rangers did so as well as UAM took a 29-27 lead into half.
 
To start the third quarter, The Blossoms eventually extended their lead to five points. With the score 38-34, King would hit a free throw. However, the lead would not last the whole quarter as NWOSU fought back into it and took a three-point advantage of its own following quarter-ending three by Kyleigh Leverich.
 
With the Blossoms down three to start the fourth, it was clear to see how this matchup was going to end, coming down to the wire. Tidwell helped tie the game back up 43-43 with over six minutes remaining. She then gave UAM a three-point lead after a big three-pointer following an assist from Kayla Bradley.
 
In the final five minutes of the game, Leverich again hit a three, this time to tie the game, 49-49. With 3:32 remaining, Mekaylan Hicks would nail big basket in traffic and draw a foul sending her to the line. She missed the free throw, but after a missed layup by NWOSU, she would be fouled again. Hicks then hit one-of-two at the line.
 
After a missed layup by the Rangers with 2:28 to play, Mackenzie Tillman then hit a layup in the lane to put UAM ahead five points, 54-49. However, UAM would lose that lead again after a few costly fouls and four free throws by the Rangers. With the Blossoms up one, NWOSU fouled and sent Muhammad to the line to hit one-of-two. The Rangers then got to the line with 24 seconds left cutting it back to one point.
 
After another Northwestern foul, Bradley would get to the line to hit one-of-two to put UAM ahead, 56-54. On the following possession for NWOSU, Presley Payahsape would get fouled and hit both free throws with 11 seconds remaining, tying the game, 56-56.
 
UAM drew up a play following a timeout and with 0.5 seconds left, Bailey Brown fouled Bradley to send her to the line. Bradley missed the first, but hit the second putting UAM ahead, 57-56. The Rangers then threw up a prayer, but it was for not, as UAM went on to win.
 
Both Tidwell and King finished in double-figures with 11 and 10 points, respectively.
 
Bradley finished with eight points, four assists and two steals, and had the game-winning free throw.
 
The Blossoms had 13 steals and forced 25 total turnovers in the contest.
 
With the win, UAM snaps a two-game losing streak and is now 9-3 overall, and 4-2 in Great American Conference play. NWOSU drops to 7-5 overall and 3-3 in league games.
 
UP NEXT
UAM will hit the road on Thursday to play Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant, Oklahoma. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.