MONTICELLO, Ark. – The University of Arkansas at Monticello women's basketball team is seeking an important Great American Conference win against Arkansas Tech University on Saturday at 2 p.m. from the Steelman Field House in Monticello, Arkansas. The Blossoms are aiming to beat the Golden Suns after falling to them on the road earlier this season.
COVERAGE LINKS
UAM GAME NOTES
UAM VS.
ARKANSAS TECH UNIVERSITY – 2/15 – 2 P.M. –
LIVE STATS,
LIVE VIDEO
SATURDAY'S GAME DETAILS
Opponent: Arkansas Tech University Golden Suns
Date: February 15, 2020
Location: Monticello, Arkansas – Steelman Field House
In-Game Updates: Twitter (@UAMsports)
Last Played: December 7, 209 in Russellville (L, 72-57)
UAM PRIMER
2019-20 Record: 15-8
2019-20 GAC Record: 10-7
Head Coach:
Greg Long, First Season (15-8)
SCOUTING THE BLOSSOMS
As of right now, Arkansas Tech sits tied for fourth in the standings with an 11-6 conference mark, while UAM is 10-7 in seventh place.
The last meeting between these two teams was back on December 7th, 2019 in Russellville, Arkansas. The game was UAM's first loss of the season as it fell, 72-57.
Both teams last played on Thursday earlier this week. UAM earned a comeback victory over Southern Arkansas University, 69-62. As for the Golden Suns, they fell at Harding University, 87-69.
UAM's win on Thursday helped add another broken record to a long list this season as it earned its 11th home victory of the year, which is the most it has won at home since the University of Arkansas at Monticello joined the NCAA.
UAM has continuously played stifling defense in 2019-20 and it proved once again how good it could be down the stretch on Thursday. The Blossoms are 47th in NCAA Division II in scoring defense (58.8 ppg) and rank first in the category in the GAC.
Much of this is due to the amount of turnovers they force, especially off steals. The Blossoms are 20th in DII in total steals (263) and 22nd in steals per game (11.4). They also are 31st in DII in turnovers forced per game at 17.6.
Offensively, the Blossoms are scoring 67.0 points per game shooting 41.6 percent from the field and 27.4 percent from three-point range. They also shoot 67.5 percent from the free-throw line and dish out 11.5 assists per game.
On the glass, the Blossoms snag 38.2 rebounds per contest while opponents get 34.6 rebounds per game for a +3.6-rebounding margin.
Berniezha Tidwell continues to lead the team in several categories including points per game (16.9), rebounds per game (7.0), assists per game (3.9) and steals per game (3.5). She actually is also fourth in DII in steals per game and second in the GAC.
Mackenzie Tillman is behind Tidwell in scoring averaging 11.0 points per contest shooting 49.4 percent from the floor.
Mekaylan Hicks is averaging 8.8 points per game shooting a team-high 54.4 percent from the field. She also adds 5.8 rebounds per contest and leads the team in blocks on defense with 14.
Kayla Bradley has also contributed nicely for the Blossoms averaging 8.5 points per game while being second to Tidwell in assists per game (2.7) and steals per game (2.7).
ARKANSAS TECH UNIVERSITY PRIMER
2019-20 Record: 14-7
2019-20 GAC Record: 11-6
Head Coach: Dave Wilbers, 13th Season Overall (189-88)
SCOUTING THE GOLDEN SUNS
The Golden Suns come into this contest as essentially the opposite of the Blossoms. They are 20th in DII in scoring offense averaging 77.5 points per game. They also snag quite a few rebounds ranking 13th in the country in boards per game at 44.8.
The offense has been rolling thanks to the Golden Suns having six players averaging double-figures. Kaley Shipman is averaging 12.5 points per game shooting 43.8 percent from the field and 40.9 percent from downtown.
Ke'Vonshaye Stackhouse is behind her averaging 11.6 points per game shooting 50.7 percent from the field and 40.6 percent from deep. She is also second on the team in rebounds per game snagging 6.2.
Other key Tech scorers are Jayana Sanders (10.8 ppg), Sarah Heard (10.2 ppg) and Hannah Villines (10.2 ppg).
UP NEXT
The Blossoms will host East Central University on Thursday for another GAC contest from Steelman Field House in Monticello. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
