MONTICELLO, Ark. - Senior Alindsey Long surpassed 1,000 career points Thursday night joining the 1,000 point club, as the Blossoms hosted conference rival, Southern Arkansas University. The Blossoms faced a tough battle with the Muleriders sending the game into double overtime, but came out of the contest with a 77-75 loss.

With her 18 points on the night, Long currently stands with 1,015 career points with half a season left to play. She joins just 19 other Blossoms in the rich history of the program to score over 1,000 points in their career.

Alyssa Batton led the way for Arkansas-Monticello (6-11, 1-10 GAC), posting 29 points in the matchup. Batton hit 9-21 total field goals, three three-pointers, and 8-9 free throws on the evening. She also contributed four total rebounds in her 39 minutes played. 

Alindsey Long followed behind in the double-digits, scoring 18 points of her own. Long hit 7-16 field goals, two three-pointers, and 2-3 from the line while grabbing three defensive rebounds, three assists, and two blocks. 

Opal Hardy saw 10 points posted on the evening as the final Blossom in the double-digits. Hardy hit 2-5 field goals and 6-8 free throws, along with four total rebounds, one assist, and a block. 

Southern Arkansas (10-7, 6-5 GAC) was led by Kadia Ward with 17 points.

Arkansas-Monticello fell behind early in the opening half of the matchup. A layup from Alyssa Batton helped the Blossoms tie the game at 10 apiece. Period one would see three additional ties before Brilynn Findley's three-pointer put the Blossoms up 19-16, ending the period. UAM led the second period, never allowing the Muleriders to tie, heading into halftime with a seven-point advantage, 41-34, outscoring SAU 22-18.

Coming out of the locker rooms, period three was more evenly matched, but a jumper from Alindsey Long gave the Blossoms their biggest lead of the night at 13, 52-39. It was after this shot that the Muleriders' defense started to cool the Blossoms, ending the period 54-45. SAU took control of the final 10 minutes of regulation, outscoring the Blossoms 19-10. Seeing the first tied score since period one, 56-56, the Blossoms would hold just one more significant lead at five off a Taleigha Ealy fast break, 63-58. With 11 seconds remaining, the Muleriders tied the game, 64-64. Sending the Blossoms into their first overtime of the season.

The first overtime proved to be a battle, as both sides of the court looked to win the contest. The Muleriders came out hot, taking a three-point lead, 67-64. Yet the Blossoms did not stop fighting, tying the overtime at 69-69. For every Blossom basket, the Muleriders responded with one of their own. Both teams scored 9 points in OT1, sending the contest into a second overtime, tied. 73-73.

The final five minutes of the night saw the most intense action of the night, as no team scored more than five points. Arkansas-Monticello would strike first, netting two points off two free throws by Alyssa Batton. These would be the final points of the night for UAM as SAU took control of the board with just four points to end overtime, handing the Blossoms a 77-75 loss.

Arkansas-Monticello committed 20 turnovers in the entirety of the match. 

UP NEXT
The Blossoms are tentatively scheduled to travel to Arkansas Tech on Monday, January 26 to take on the Golden Suns. Tip-off is currently set for 5:30 p.m. This meeting was originally set for Saturday, January 24, but was flexed to Monday due to inclement weather.

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.

#EveryDay | #BlossomNation