BARTLESVILLE, Okla. – The University of Arkansas at Monticello women's basketball team saw its Great American Conference Tournament Championship run come to an end on Sunday from the Bruin Field House in Bartlesville, Oklahoma with a 71-52 loss to Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Despite the loss, the Blossoms will likely finish the season with a 20-11 overall record; the first time the team has had 20 wins in a season since 1997-98.

"I'm so proud of this team and what they accomplished this year from being picked 12th in the league to make it all the way to the championship game, was a Cinderella run in in its own right," said head coach Greg Long. "I'm disappointed in the loss, but this one loss does not define what these young ladies have accomplished this season."
 
He continued "We're going to miss these three seniors, but they have left their mark on this program. I'm so appreciative of them in believing in what I was doing in helping us establish the future for the Blossom program."
 
"I want to thank all of our fans for all the support all year long for this team, and I can't wait to get next year started."
 
In the loss, the Blossoms could just not slow down the Savage Storm offense as they shot 51.0 percent from the field and 54.5 percent from downtown.
 
Right from the start, SEOSU put the pressure on scoring early and often after UAM began the game with a 9-7 lead. The Savage Storm went on a run to conclude the quarter and had the lead by the end of it, 15-9.
 
UAM looked to creep back into it in the second with a couple of big shots. With a single-digit deficit, Kayla Bradley cut it to a two-point lead with 8:48 left to play in the half with a basket. After that, SEOSU went back on a run pushing the lead to double-digits as the momentum was clearly on their side.
 
However, to conclude the half, Berniezha Tidwell got the Blossom faithful on their feet with a triple at the buzzer. UAM was behind 38-26 at the break.
 
Coming out of halftime, it looked a little bleak for the Blossoms early, but by the end of the third, UAM made it a single-digit game again when Tidwell hit a pair of free throws to make it 53-44.
 
Unfortunately, to start the fourth, SEOSU went on a 10-0 run to take a 64-44 advantage. They never looked back and kept the lead in double-figures all the way through, going on to win, 71-52.
 
Despite the loss, the Blossoms can keep their heads held high after an unprecedented season. They were picked 12th in the conference to begin the year and finished as the runner-up in the championship.
 
Tidwell had another double-double on the day with 15 points and 13 rebounds. Her and Bradley both were named to the All-GAC Tournament team for their efforts in the run.
 
In all likelihood, the Blossoms may not receive and at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament field, which will be announced tonight at 9 p.m.
 
If that is the case, the Blossoms finish 2019-20 with a 20-11 overall mark, the first time they've earned at least 20 wins since 1997-98. Also, head coach Greg Long is currently tied for the most wins in DII for a first-year head coach.