WEATHERFORD, Okla. – The University of Arkansas at Monticello women's basketball team dropped a Great American Conference contest on the road at Southwestern Oklahoma State University on Saturday, 68-60. The Blossoms kept the game tight after a big third quarter, but unfortunately could not complete the comeback in the fourth.
 
After trailing by seven points at the break, the Blossoms made it a two-point game after outscoring the Bulldogs, 22-17 in the third quarter.

"I am so proud of the effort and the togetherness of this team," said head coach Greg Long. "I am not happy with the loss and neither are the girls, but we showed some grit this afternoon that we have been missing. We have to put this behind us and get refocused for another very tough week."
 
UAM found itself down most of the game. They did however get within one point with a little under five minutes left to play in the first half. Dezirae King, Lynah Bontiff and Shania Smith were to thank for that cutting the deficit to, 20-19. However, to conclude the half, SWOSU hit a pair of threes to make it a seven-point lead at the break.
 
In the third, the Blossoms made their push. With eight minutes left, they found themselves down 10, but Berniezha Tidwell took over along with Kayla Bradley to help cut the lead to one. Moments later, Tidwell helped the Blossoms then take the lead, 40-39, but SWOSU got back out in front shortly after. To finish the third, Tidwell and King hit some free throws to get them back within two going into the fourth, 49-47.
 
To start the fourth, Bradley knotted the game up with a layup. A little later, SWOSU went on a big run to bring the lead back to double-digits. The Blossoms did make some plays late to cut it back to a seven-point lead, but it was not enough as they fell, 68-60.
 
King and Tidwell were the team's top scorers on the day with 17 points apiece. King also finished one rebound short of a double-double while also snagging two steals. Tidwell added five rebounds and an impressive 10 steals to her stat line.
 
Bradley rallied for nine points, five rebounds and five assists on her day.
 
With the loss, UAM falls to 13-7 overall and 8-6 in the GAC, while SWOSU improves to 14-6 overall and 9-5 in conference contests.
 
UP NEXT
UAM will conclude their four-game road trip with a pair of Arkansas road games starting at Harding University on Thursday. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.