MONTICELLO, Ark.– The University of Arkansas at Monticello Women's Basketball team hosted the Pioneers of Crowley's Ridge College for their 2023-24 season home opener on Tuesday. The Blossoms came out with an 85-61 win.

Haleigh Crews led the way for Arkansas-Monticello (2-1) with 19 points, going 8-13 on total field goals and 3-5 from beyond the arc. She also contributed a team leading eight rebounds on the night, with five offensive and three defensive, two assists, and a steal.

Kelsey Blakemore was the second Blossom in double digits on the night, posting 17 points of her own, hitting 6-9 field goals, 2-4 threes, and 3-6 free throws. She also gave UAM six rebounds, two steals, one block and an assist.

Alindsey Long and Bailey Harris were the final Blossoms to shoot double digits, seeing 12 and 10 points, respectively. Long saw a 4-12 field goal ratio, 2-8 on threes, and 2-2 free throws on top of her three rebounds, three blocks, and two assists. Harris went 4-9 on the night and 2-2 on free throws, on top of her five rebounds, an assist, block, and a steal.
 
Crowley's Ridge (3-3) was led by Reigiana Ward with 16 points.

The first quarter began with the Blossoms scoring the first points of the game on a layup from the leading scorer, Bailey Harris. UAM would build off of their initial lead throughout the entirety of the quarter, seeing a 10-point advantage at their highest lead. The opening 10 minutes came to a close with Arkansas-Monticello on top, 22-12. 

The second quarter started off slow, but saw a three from Haleigh Crews to give the Blossoms some momentum. UAM continued to remain in control of the game even with the Pioneers offense starting to heat up. As the half came to a close, both teams would head to the locker room with the Blossoms leading, 47-28.

The third quarter was the highest scoring of the game, seeing a combined score of 46 points between both teams. UAM went 7-22 on field goals and 6-9 from the free throw line throughout the third 10 minute period. Heading into the final quarter of the match-up leading the Pioneers, 70-51.

The fourth quarter consisted of an intense battle between the two teams, this quarter being the lowest of the game with a combined 25 points. The match would eventually come to a close with the Blossoms on top, 85-61. UAM would increase their record on the 2023-24 season to 2-1.

Arkansas-Monticello committed 16 turnovers in the entirety of the match.


UP NEXT
The Blossoms are back in action this Saturday, Nov. 18, when they travel to Montgomery, Alabama to take on the Warhawks of Auburn University - Montgomery. The game is scheduled to start at 5:30 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.

#GoBlossoms | #BlossomNation