Game 1: Arkansas-Monticello (GAC) vs. University of Arkansas Fort Smith (MIAA)
Friday, Nov. 14 | 5:30 p.m. | Fort Smith, Ark. (Gayle Kaundart Arena at the Stubblefield Center)
Radio: None
Live Stats | Live Video | Lions Roster | Series History

Game 2: Arkansas-Monticello (GAC) vs. Newman University (MIAA)
Saturday, Nov. 15 | 4:00 p.m. | Fort Smith, Ark. (Gayle Kaundart Arena at the Stubblefield Center)
Radio: None
Live Stats | Live Video | Jets Roster | Series History
 
2025-26 Arkansas-Monticello Blossoms Roster | GAC Women's Basketball

Social Media | X Accounts: @UAMsports & @uamwbkb |  All scoring information and in-game updates.

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MONTICELLO, Ark. – Arkansas-Monticello's Women's Basketball team will open its 2025-26 campaign on Friday, November 14, and Saturday, November 15 at the MIAA/GAC Crossover in Fort Smith, Arkansas. The Cotton Blossoms will take on the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Lions at 5:30 p.m. on the 14th and the Jets of Newman University at 4:00 p.m. on the 15th  inside the Gayle Kaundart Arena at the Stubblefield Center on the campus of the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith.

Coming back to the court after an exciting 79-78 double overtime win against the Tigers of Ouachita Baptist University in the final game of the 2024-25 season, the ladies in green and white are gearing up for a fresh start and new beginnings as they look towards the upcoming MIAA/GAC Crossover battle.

"This group has been working very hard to get better at communicating, playing together, and making winning hustle plays," said Head Coach David Midlick. "We are all looking forward to playing two games this weekend versus two talented regional teams."

PRESEASON NOTES
Beginning the 2025-26 campaign ranked 12th in the GAC Preseason Conference Poll, UAM will look to the four Blossoms returning from the 24-25 season, seven transfers, and one true freshman new to Monticello, for a thrilling season. Head Coach David Midlick returns for his fourth year at the helm of the Women's Basketball team, alongside Assistant Coach Brazia Jones, in her third year, and graduate assistant Jill Blackstock.

2024-25 Roster:
#2 Ella Hamlin - Guard | Junior Transfer from Grayson College
#3 Ana Vieira - Gaurd | Junior Transfer from Claredon Community College
#5 Brilynn Findley - Guard | Sophomore Transfer from Delta State University
#12 Ja'Nae Southall - Guard | Junior Transfer from Panola College
#13 Jena Warden - Guard | True Freshman from Silsbee High School in Kountze, TX
#15 Alindsey Long - Shooting Guard | Returning Senior
#20 Opal Hardy - Forward | Junior Transfer from Crowder College
#21 Keira Williams - Guard/Forward | Transfer from Laramie County College
#23 Taleigha Ealy - Center | Returning Red Shirt - Freshman
#24 Alyssa Batton - Point Guard | Returning Sophomore
#25 Nicole Weaver - Guard | Returning Junior
#30 Harper Biley - Forward | Junior Transfer from Blinn College

LAST MEETING
University of Arkansas - Fort Smith - The Cotton Blossoms fell in the last meeting with the Tigers on November 9, 2024, 66-77. Camille Pritchard led the way for Arkansas-Monticello with 16 points in the match-up. Pritchard hit 4-10 field goals on the day, with two three-pointers and 6-6 free throws. She also contributed nine total rebounds in her 25 minutes played, with four defensive and five offensive. Pritchard also grabbed a steal in the game. Bailey Harris followed close behind in double-digits on the afternoon, posting 15 points of her own. Harris went 7-13 on field goals and 1-4 on threes with six rebounds, an assist and a steal. Haleigh Crews and Alindsey Long were the final Blossoms with ten or more points in the game, scoring 13 and 10, respectively. Crews was 5-16 on the night in field goals, with two shots from beyond the arc and a free throw. She also led the team in assists with seven. Long gave a 4-10 performance, hitting a three and going 1-2 from the line, while grabbing one steal. The Lions won the opening half of the game, seeing Fort Smith outscore UAM 20-12 in the first quarter and 21-16 in the second. UAM tied the game at 12-12 with 2:41 left on the clock in the first but would fall behind for the remainder of the half. The teams were off to the locker rooms at the half with the Blossoms trailing 41-28. UAM prevailed in the third, outscoring UAFS 21-17. The Blossoms brought the game back within six at one point in the period. Unfortunately, the Lion offense would push forward again in the fourth, leading to a 77-66 loss for Monticello in the end.

Newman University - Arkansas-Monticello were the victorious over the Jets on November 10, 2024, besting Newman 73-47, in the first game of the 2024-25 season.  Haleigh Crews led the way for Arkansas-Monticello with a career-high scoring performance, posting 21 points in the match-up. Crews hit 8-11 total field goals on the day, with one three-pointer made and 4-4 free throws. She also contributed seven defensive rebounds in her 26 minutes played, with two assists and a steal in the season opener. Bailey Harris was the other Blossom in double-digits on the afternoon, posting 13 points in the game. Harris went 5-11 on field goals, 1-6 on threes, and 2-4 on free throws with three assists, one steal, and a defensive rebound. The Blossoms held control for the entirety of the game, outscoring the Jets in all four quarters. The opening 10 minutes was the highest-scoring quarter of the game, with the teams scoring a combined 43 points. The first points of the season for UAM came from Haleigh Crews on a layup. After a brief exchange of the lead, the Blossoms took a 14-13 lead over Newman on a Crews layup. Arkansas-Monticello would hold that lead for the remainder of the quarter, outscoring the tournament host 24-19. UAM held the Jets to single digits in the second quarter, outscoring the home team 14-8 throughout the period. Kennedee Shelton hit a free throw at the end of the half with UAM leading by 11. The teams were sent to the locker room with the Blossoms on top, 38-27. The second half saw the Blossoms once again increase their lead over the Jets. UAM posted 15 points to NU's 10, increasing the advantage to 16 points before the end of the period. Quarter four saw the UAM outperform Newman by 10 points. The Blossoms saw a game-high lead of 29 points after a fast-break layup from Ella Mask with 1:51 left on the clock. As the time ran out, Arkansas-Monticello came out on top in a 73-47 victory.

ALL-TIME SERIES
University of Arkansas - Fort Smith - UAM has a current 3-7 all-time record against the Lions since the first match in November of 2009, which was an 88-81 win for the Blossoms. The last win came in November of 2023, with the Blossoms winning 61-53. Overall, Arkansas-Monticello is averaging 65.1 points over 10 games played.

Newman University - The Blossoms and Jets have met only twice in program history, winning both games.  On November 11, 2023, the Blossoms won 69-43, followed by the November 10 meeting 73-47. Arkansas-Monticello is averaging 71 points, with 142 total points.

GAME RECAPS
After the conclusion of each game, Weevil Basketball will have a release posted to uamsports.com, X and Facebook, which will give a recap of the game. They can be found on the schedule page as a clickable link after the end of each game, or on UAM Sports social media accounts.

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 X and Instagram.

#GoBlossoms | #BlossomNation
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