DURANT, Okla. – The University of Arkansas at Monticello women's basketball team fell in a Great American Conference contest at No. 21 Southeastern Oklahoma State University on Thursday from the Bloomer Sullivan Arena in Durant, Oklahoma, 76-65. Mackenzie Tillman finished with a season-high 24 points in the loss.

"I am so proud of the fight this team showed tonight," said Greg Long."For us to go down 21 on the road to a nationally ranked team and fight back the way we did says something about the maturation of this team. We have to keep getting better and learn from this game but also have a short memory and get ready for East Central."

The game looked bleak for the Blossoms in the first half, but they fought back early in the second half. Unfortunately, down the stretch, the Savage Storm pulled away late en route to the win.
 
To start the contest, it was mostly Berniezha Tidwell taking over scoring plenty in the first quarter. With UAM ahead 9-8 in the first period, the Savage Storm drained a three, but Tidwell responded with an answer of her own from downtown to give the Blossoms a 12-11 lead. She then followed that up with a basket to take a 14-11 advantage. However, the Savage Storm responded with a few baskets to conclude the quarter, taking a 21-14 lead into the second.
 
Tillman began her surge in the second quarter along with Tidwell. Down the stretch, SEOSU had a 31-16 lead. Tillman got going with a three to make it 31-19. Later, she would hit a pair of free throws and also conclude the half with free throws. UAM would be trailing 42-25 into halftime.
 
To start the second half, UAM went on quite a run. The Blossoms would score 14 to begin the period with big-time plays from Mekaylan Hicks, Kayla Bradley and Tillman to cut the score to, 42-39. The Savage Storm did fight back though to conclude the period and would take a 53-45 lead into the fourth.
 
The Blossoms would cut it to three points once again with a little over five minutes left to play. UAM fought back as Hicks hit a free throw to make it a 58-55 lead in favor of the Savage Storm. Shortly after however, SEOSU battled late and forced UAM to foul. Hicks would hit a couple free throws late, but the scoring was not enough, and SEOSU would go on to win, 76-65.
 
Tillman had a career day with 24 points, four rebounds and three assists. She was also five-of-six from the free-throw line.
 
Tidwell finished with 10 points, nine rebounds and three assists.
 
Hicks also finished with double digits scoring with 10 points while also snagging six rebounds.
 
UP NEXT
UAM will continue its road trip when it heads to East Central University on Saturday. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m.