ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – The University of Arkansas at Monticello women's basketball team held strong on the road at Henderson State University earning a tight two-point victory, 64-62, on Saturday. Berniezha Tidwell finished with a double-double tallying 16 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists in the win.
 
The win was definitely a gritty one as the regular season winds down.
 
"This was a much-needed win. We had to get back on the winning side of things," said head coach Greg Long. "I'm so happy with how these kids battle and how hard they are playing," exclaimed Long. "From the starters to the bench, it was an absolutely great team effort."
 
The Blossoms found themselves down in the first but played strong late in the second period to take a two-point lead into halftime. Henderson kept the score tight throughout the second half, but UAM prevailed to come away with a win.
 
UAM and HSU were tied early in the first, but the Reddies went on an 11-4 run to close out the period. However, UAM responded in the second.
 
Tidwell and Mekaylan Hicks and Nina Kizzee helped cut into the deficit and take the lead with a little over five minutes left in the half, 19-17. UAM then extended that lead to seven, but HSU fought back at took a one-point advantage. Kayla Bradley would hit a late three to give the Blossoms a 27-25 lead into halftime.
 
Another impressive performance off the bench was Shania Smith. In the third quarter she hit a big three with three minutes left in the period to put UAM ahead, 37-32. HSU and UAM traded leads for the remainder of the quarter but went into the fourth level, 45-45.
 
Henderson State took an early lead in the quarter and the game was close with the Reddies ahead until the final three minutes of the game. Tidwell hit a free throw to put UAM up one, and Smith drained a three shortly after to keep the Blossom lead.
 
HSU got it back shortly after, but Smith hit a layup to take it back. A little later, it was Kizze hitting a jumper to put the Blossoms back on top one more time. In the final seconds, HSU would have to foul with UAM up one, but Tidwell hit a free throw with one second on the clock. The Reddies then inbounded, but Hicks got a steal and sealed the 64-62 win for the Blossoms.
 
Smith was outstanding off the bench for the Blossoms tallying 15 points going 6-of-9 from the field and 3-of-5 from downtown.
 
Also in double-figures for the Blossoms was Kayla Bradley, who finished with 10 points and a pair of rebounds.
 
Hicks was a bucket away from a double-double finishing with eight points and 10 boards.
 
With the win, UAM improves to 14-7 overall and 9-7 in Great American Conference play while Henderson State drops to 15-7 overall and 10-6 in GAC games. The Blossoms are currently tied for seventh in the standings with Southern Arkansas University with seven games remaining on the regular season schedule.
 
UP NEXT
UAM will return home for a rivalry game between them and Southern Arkansas on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. Thursday's contest could go a long way in deciding who makes the GAC Tournament down the stretch.