MAGNOLIA, Ark.– The University of Arkansas at Monticello Women's Basketball team traveled to Magnolia, Arkansas to open up their 2023-24 season at the GAC/MIAA Challenge, hosted by Southern Arkansas University. The Blossoms took on the Blue Tigers of Lincoln University of Missouri and came out with a 77-70 loss to open up the tournament.

Returning sophomore Alindsey Long led the way for Arkansas-Monticello (0-1) with 19 point, 10 rebound double-double on the night. Long hit 5-12 shots in the two-point range and 3-7 from beyond-the-arc. She also contributed a team leading 10 rebounds, four offensive and six defensive, in her 37 minutes played. She also had three steals and two assists throughout the season opener.

Bailey Harris and Haleigh Crews each contributed 12 points in the the game. Harris went 3-8 on field goals, 1-2 on threes, and 5-12 on free throws with six rebounds, one block, and one assist. Crews was 4-8 on field goals, 2-3 on long-range shots, and 2-4 on field goals with two rebounds, one assist, and one block.
 
Lincoln University (1-0) was led by Ashlyn Alloway with 18 points.

The first quarter proved to be the lowest scoring of the game, with a back and forth battle between both teams in the opening 10 minutes. Azaria Hulbert hit a three, nine seconds into the game to give the Blossoms the first points on the board. The lead would change five separate times throughout the quarter. UAM came out 4-19 for field goals and 2-5 on three pointers. The two teams would head into the second quarter with Monticello on top 13-12.

The second quarter was highest scoring of the game, with both teams shooting a combined 46 points. The Blossoms saw Bailey Harris score eight of their first 10 points in the second ten minutes. Arkansas-Monticello was able to make 65% of their field goals throughout the second 10 minutes. The teams would finish the half and head to the locker rooms with UAM on top, 37-34.

The third quarter proved to go the Blue Tigers way as well as they would outscore the Blossoms, 18-16. UAM put four more shots in the air, but made one less, going 6-16 compared to LU's 7-12 on field goals. Alindsey Long was 3-3 on the quarter with two threes and a jumper.

The fourth quarter saw the biggest score difference, with Lincoln once again outscoring Monticello. The Blue Tigers saw eight points advantage on the quarter, besting the Blossoms, 25-17. The match would eventually come to an end with the opponent on top, 77-70.

Arkansas-Monticello committed 17 turnovers in the entirety of the match.
 

UP NEXT
The Blossoms return to action Saturday, November 11 to take on Newman University in the GAC/MIAA Challenge. The game is scheduled to start at 9:00 p.m. 

All live streams and live stats will be available as clickable links on the UAM Women's basketball schedule.

How to follow the Blossoms: For more information on Arkansas-Monticello Women's Basketball, visit www.uamsports.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter and Instagram.

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