MONTICELLO, Ark. – The University of Arkansas at Monticello Women’s Basketball hosted Delta State University in their 2022-23 home opener on Tuesday at Steelman Field House. The Blossoms took on the Lady Statesmen and came out with a 63-61 win in a match-up that came down to the wire.
Returning sophomore Bailey Harris led the way for Arkansas-Monticello (1-2) with 12 points, going 4-12 on shots in the two-point range, 1-3 in three-point range, and 3-4 on free throws. She also contributed a team leading eight rebounds.
True Freshman Alindsey Long contributed 10 points of her own, going 4-7 on field goals and 2-5 on shots beyond-the-arc with two rebounds.
Delta State (1-2) was led by Michelle Smith with 20 points.
The Blossoms were the first team to put points on the board in the first quarter, but the remainder of the opening ten minutes were dominated by the Lady Statesmen. UAM came out 6-15 for field goals, 2-7 on three pointers, and 3-5 on free throws. The two teams would head into the second quarter with DSU on top 23-17.
The second quarter was a breakout for the Blossoms as they outscored Delta State 19 points to 8. UAM shot for 53% of their field goals throughout the second 10 minutes, with a combined effort from Nyah Banks, Bailey Harris, Shea Goodwin, and Taylor East. The teams would finish the half and head to the locker rooms with Arkansas-Monticello on top, 36-31.
The third quarter proved to go the Lady Statesmen way as well as they would outscore the Blossoms, 17-11. UAM matched DSU in shots, but was unable to have as many baskets fall.
The fourth quarter was a total flip of the third as Arkansas-Monticello would once again outscore Delta State. The match would come down to the wire, with Bailey Harris hitting a three to tie the game at 61-61 with seconds left on the clock. Harris would also hit two free throws to give UAM a 63-61 lead over the Lady Statesmen after being dished a perfect pass from Joi Montgomery. The Blossoms would get a steal in the final moments of the game to ensure a 63-61 final score victory of Delta State.
Arkansas-Monticello committed 14 turnovers in the entirety of the match.
UP NEXT
The Blossoms return to action in Monticello on Tuesday, November 22 at Steelman Field House as they take on Arkansas Baptist College 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 third time this season.
- The Blossoms also used this starting five in the season opener against Lincoln University on Nov. 11.
- Arkansas-Monticello took down the Lady Statesmen for the first time since 2005.
- Delta State leads in the all-time series, 44-9.
- Head Coach David Midlick collected his first win at Arkansas-Monticello.
- The Blossoms collected their first win as a team since Jan. 9 of the 2020-21 season.
- Bailey Harris scored a team-high 12 points, making the game-tying three with 3 seconds on the clock.
- The sophomore from Sachse, Texas, now has 291 total points in her UAM career.
- She has scored double digits in all three games this season.
- Alindsey Long scored double digits for the first time in her UAM career.
- Cyarah Kensmil‘s three blocked shots are the most of any Blossom 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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