MONTICELLO, Ark. – The University of Arkansas at Monticello Women’s Basketball Team hosted in-state, Great American Conference rival Henderson State University on Saturday afternoon. The Blossoms took on the Reddies in battle that went into overtime, coming out with a 75-70 loss.
Newcomer Joi Montgomery led the way for Arkansas-Monticello (2-5, 0-2 GAC) with 20 points, going 7-11 on shots in the two-point range and 6-10, 1-1 on three-pointers, and 5-8 on free throws. She also contributed seven rebounds and an assist in the match.
Alindsey Long and Bailey Harris each contributed 11 points of their own. Long had a final tally of 3-9 on shots for two, 3-6 on shots beyond-the-arc, and 2-2 from the line with two rebounds and an assist. Harris went 5-13 on on field goals and 1-3 on free throws with five rebounds of her own.
Senior Aeryn Hawkins scored 10 points in the match as well. Hawkins went 3-6 on shots from two-point range and 4-4 on points from the line with one rebound.
Henderson State (5-3, 2-0 GAC) was led by Abbie Jiles and Jasmine Bailey with 15 points each.
The Reddies were the first team to put points on the board in the first quarter with a two point jump shot. Arkansas-Monticello would respond with two free throws from Alindsey long and two back-to-back layups from Cyarah Kensmil and Joi Montgomery to take back a 6-2 lead. The Blossoms would continue outscoring the Reddies as the first ten minutes of the match would come to an end. UAM came out 9-21 on field goals and 4-4 on free throws. The two teams would head into the second quarter with UAM on top 22-16.
The second quarter was the lowest scoring quarter of regular time. The Blossoms would once again out score the Reddies in the second ten minutes 12 points to 10. UAM shot for only 38% of their field goals throughout the second quarter. Henderson State would only shoot for 33% in their second quarter performance. The teams would finish the half and head to the locker rooms with Arkansas-Monticello on top, 34-26.
The third quarter proved to go the Reddies way as well as they would outscore the Blossoms, 27-20 in the highest scoring period of the entire game. HSU shot for 61% of field goals, compared to Arkansas-Monticello’s 50% in the third ten minutes.
The fourth quarter was also a lowest scoring 10 minutes in the conference match-up. Joi Montgomery would find a free throw three minutes into the match to score the first point of the quarter. As the match was coming down to the wire, Montgomery would make a layup with 18 seconds left on the clock, also receiving a foul on the drive. Her free throw from the foul tied the game at 67 as a missed Reddie layup at the buzzer would send the game into overtime.
The five minutes of overtime would prove to go the Reddies way as they would outscore the Blossoms 8-3. The match would come to an end with Henderson State on top 75-70.
Arkansas-Monticello committed 14 turnovers in the entirety of the match.
UP NEXT
The Blossoms return to action on Saturday, December 10 when they travel to Searcy, Arkansas to take on in-state, Great American Conference foe Harding University. The match is set to begin at 5:30 p.m.
All live streams and live stats will be available as clickable links on the UAM Women’s basketball schedule.
POSTGAME NOTES
- Arkansas-Monticello used the starting lineup of Cyarah Kensmil,Laia Balcells,Bailey Harris,Joi Montgomery and Alindsey Long for the sixth time this season.
- The Blossoms also used this starting five in the season opener against Lincoln University on Nov. 11.
- The Blossoms are now 0-2 in Great American Conference play on the season.
- Joi Montgomery scored a team-high 20 points.
- She has scored double digits in five games this season, averaging 11.3 ppg this season.
- This is a season and career high points for her.
- Alindsey Long and Bailey Harris each scored double digits for the fourth time in her UAM career.
- This is the fourth game scoring 10+ points in the last four.
- Aeryn Hawkins scored over 10 points for the first time this season.
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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