FAYETTE, Iowa – The University of Arkansas at Monticello Women’s Basketball team is in Fayette, Iowa to open up their 2022-23 season at the Central Region Challenge, hosted by Upper Iowa University. The Blossoms took on the Blue Tigers of Lincoln University of Missouri and came up just short, 67-64, in a nail biting game.
Newcomer Cyarah Kensmil led the way for Arkansas-Monticello (0-1) with 17 points, going 8-16 on field goals and 1-2 on shots from three-point range. She also contributed four rebounds in her 28 minutes played.
Bailey Harris contributed 16 points of her own, going 5-9 on field goals, 2-4 on threes, and 4-6 on free throws with seven rebounds.
Joi Montgomery put up 11 points in the match-up. She went 4-6 on the evening for field goals and 3-5 on shots from the line, while giving the Blossoms a team leading eight rebounds.
Lincoln (1-0) was led by Le’Yanna McGinnis with 24 points.
The first quarter proved to be completely dominated by the Blossoms as they scored both the first and last points in the opening 10 minutes. UAM came out 10-16 for field goals and 2-3 on three pointers. The two teams would head into the second quarter with Monticello on top 22-14.
The second quarter was lowest scoring of the game, with both teams shooting a combined 23 points. The Blossoms were only able to make 29% of their field goals throughout the second 10 minutes. The teams would finish the half and head to the locker rooms UAM with still on top, 32-27.
The third quarter proved to go the Blue Tigers way as well as they would outscore the Blossoms, 21-17. UAM was able to put more shots in the air, going 5-13 on field goals, 1-3 on shots beyond the arc, and 6-7 on free throws.
The fourth quarter went very similar to the third as Lincoln would once again outscore UAM. The match would eventually come to an end with LUM on top, 67-64. The Blossoms fall to a 0-1 record on the season.
Arkansas-Monticello committed 24 turnovers in the entirety of the match.
UP NEXT
The Blossoms return to the court in Fayette, Iowa tomorrow, November 12 at 7:30 p.m. to take on tournament host Upper Iowa University, before returning to Steelman Field House to face Delta State University on Tuesday, November 15.
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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