BARTLESVILLE, Okla. – The sixth-seeded University of Arkansas at Monticello women's basketball team defeated the third-seeded Southwestern Oklahoma State University Lady Bulldogs, 63-55, in the first round of the Great American Conference Tournament on Friday from the Bruin Field House in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. UAM got a double-double performance from Berniezha Tidwell and eight of UAM's 10 players to play in the game tallied at least one basket.
 
It was quite the performance for the Blossoms in round one as they had previously lost to the Lady Bulldogs twice this season. UAM used a big second quarter to spark some momentum and take a lead into halftime.
 
They found themselves down late, however, and got some big defensive plays allowing baskets on the other end to take a lead in the final few minutes. They hit their free throws down the stretch to earn the 63-55 win.
 
"This, by far, was the best win all season. I am so proud of how this team completely locked in against a team like SWOSU," said head coach Greg Long. "We were as sound as we have been all year following the game plan. Unfortunately, the win is behind us and we have to be ready to play a very tough team in Arkansas Tech."
 
With the victory, the Blossoms are 19-10 overall this season, and they will move on to play seventh-seeded Arkansas Tech University on Saturday in the semi-finals. It's the first time that a six and a seven-seed have played in the semi-finals in the women's side of the GAC Tournament ever. UAM gets into the final-four of the tournament for the first time since 2014-15.
 
The Blossoms were down by three after the first, but a quick turnaround in the second changed the game. They went on an 11-0 run to start the second quarter to take a 21-14 lead. They maintained that lead into halftime thanks to some solid play by Tidwell, Mackenzie Tillman, Pamela Bethel and Mekaylan Hicks. UAM and SWOSU went into halftime with the Blossoms ahead, 31-26.
 
To start the third, the momentum shifted and SWOSU took the lead. However, late in the third, Tidwell hit a big three to give the Blossoms a one-point advantage. Although the Lady Bulldogs hit a three on the other end to take a 45-43 lead into the fourth, the momentum was on UAM's side.
 
Throughout the fourth, it was evident the game was going to remain back-and-forth. The Blossoms though went on the final push with 3:22 remaining.
Tidwell got a steal and hit the fastbreak layup to get ahead. After SWOSU tied it back up, Kayla Bradley picked a Lady Bulldog pocket and went to the other end for a basket. Tidwell followed that with another steal and hit Bradley in transition for another basket putting the Blossoms ahead, 57-53.
 
The Blossoms would later hit their free throws as the final minutes came around and UAM went on to win the game, 63-55.
 
Tidwell finished with 19 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks.
 
Jaida Muhammad, Hicks, Bradley and Bethel each had eight points.
 
UP NEXT
UAM will aim to keep it going in the semi-finals against Arkansas Tech at 8 p.m. on Saturday.