RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas at Monticello Women’s Basketball Team traveled to Russellville, Arkansas on Thursday to take on Arkansas Tech University in their Great American Conference opener for the 2022-23 season. The Blossoms took on the Golden Suns and came out with a 75-63 loss on the road.
True Freshman Alindsey Long led the way for Arkansas-Monticello (2-4, 0-1 GAC) with 20 points, going 7-13 on shots in the two-point range and 6-10 on shots behind the three-point line. She also contributed four rebounds and three assists in the match.
Newcomers Nyah Banks and Joi Montgomery each contributed 10 points of their own. Banks had a final tally of 4-9 on shots for two and 2-4 on shots beyond-the-arc with two rebounds and two assists. Montgomery went 4-6 on on field goals, 1-2 on three pointers and 1-3 on shots from the line with two rebounds of her own.
Arkansas Tech (3-2, 1-0 GAC) was led by Jalei Oglesby and Hayleigh Wyrick with 18 and 17 points each.
The Golden Suns 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 a layup from Aeryn Hawkins to tie tie the game at 2-2. Unfortunately Arkansas Tech would find 14 straight points to reclaim a commanding 16-2 lead. The Blossoms would bring the match back to a six point deficit as the first ten minutes of the match would come to an end. UAM came out 7-14 on field goals, 3-5 on three pointers, and 0-3 on free throws. The two teams would head into the second quarter with Tech on top 23-17.
The second quarter was the lowest scoring quarter of the match. The Golden Suns would once again out score the Blossoms in the second ten minutes 12 points to 7. UAM shot for only 15% of their field goals throughout the second quarter. Tech would only shoot for 25% in their second quarter performance. The teams would finish the half and head to the locker rooms with Arkansas Tech on top, 35-24.
The third quarter proved to go the Golden Suns way as well as they would outscore the Blossoms, 24-14. Tech shot for 78% of field goals, compared to Arkansas-Monticello’s 43% in the third ten minutes.
The fourth quarter was dominated by Arkansas-Monticello as they would outscore Arkansas Tech 25-16 in the final 1o minutes of the match. Bailey Harris would find two free throws to give the Blossoms their final two points of the game as UAM would fall to the home team as the time ran out, 75-63.
Arkansas-Monticello committed 19 turnovers in the entirety of the match.
UP NEXT
The Blossoms return to Steelman Field House on Saturday, December 3 when they host in-state Great American Conference rival Henderson State University. The match is set to begin at 1:00 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 Laia Balcells,Bailey Harris,Joi Montgomery,Aeryn HawkinsandAlindsey Long for the first time this season.
- The Blossoms are now 0-1 in Great American Conference play on the season.
- Alindsey Long scored a team-high 20 points.
- She has scored double digits in four straight games, averaging 10.3 ppg this season.
- This is a season and career high points scored for Long.
- Joi Montgomery scored double digits for the fourth time in her UAM career.
- This is the third game scoring 10+ points in the last four.
- Nyah Banks 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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