MONTICELLO, Ark. – The University of Arkansas at Monticello Women’s Basketball team hosted out of state conference member, Southwestern Oklahoma State University on Saturday afternoon. The Blossoms came out with a 74-69 loss to the Bulldogs.
By Ryan Tow
Assistant AD for Athletic Communications
Returning junior, Bailey Harris, was once again the leading scorer for Arkansas-Monticello (4-8, 0-6 GAC) with 21 points, going 6-14 on total field goals, 2-5 on threes, and 7-10 from the free throw line. She grabbed one offensive and five defensive rebounds on the afternoon, also contributing a block in her 35 minutes played.
Alyssia Thorne followed close behind, grabbing her second double-double performance of the season, with 17 points and 10 total rebounds, six offensive and four defensive. Thorne hit 5-8 and 7-9 free throws on the game while also giving the Blossoms three assists, a block, and a steal.
Jayla Stirgus was the final Blossom in double-digits, scoring 15 points against the Lady Bulldogs. Stirgus saw 18 minutes of play, but hit 3-7 field goals, 2-3 three pointers, and 7-8 shots from the line with three assists and two defensive rebounds.
Southwestern Oklahoma (7-5, 4-2 GAC) was led by Libbi Zinn with 17 points.
The first quarter proved to be the lowest scoring period of the game, seeing a combined total of 19 points scored between the two teams. Bailey Harris contributed seven of UAM’s eight total points in the opening ten minutes. The score going into the second had Arkansas-Monticello trailing Southwestern Oklahoma 11-8.
Quarter two saw much more momentum, with SWOSU outscoring UAM, 24-19 in the second ten minute period. The teams would head to the locker room with the Blossoms trailing the Lady Bulldogs, 35-27.
The third quarter proved to be won by the Blossoms, as UAM outscored SWOSU, 24-20. Alyssia Thorne stepped up in the third, scoring 12 of the Blossoms’ 24 total. Through best efforts, UAM was still chasing the lead from Southwestern Oklahoma into the final quarter of the game.
The fourth quarter was an absolute battle throughout its entirety. After an absolute thriller of a quarter, a final free throw from the Bulldogs for the last point of the game would solidify a 74-69 loss for UAM.
Arkansas-Monticello committed 21 turnovers in the entirety of the match.
UP NEXT
The Blossoms continue 2024 action on Thursday, Jan. 11 when they travel to Ada, Oklahoma to take on out of state Great American Conference member East Central University. The game is scheduled to tip off 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.