MONTICELLO, Ark. – The University of Arkansas at Monticello Women’s Basketball team hosted in-state, Great American Conference member Ouachita Baptist University at Steelman Field House on Saturday afternoon. The Blossoms came out of their tenth contest of the year with a 77-65 win over the Tigers.
Newcomer Cyarah Kensmil led the way for Arkansas-Monticello (4-6, 1-3 GAC) with a monstrous 24 point, 10 rebound performance on the night. She shot for an impressive 66.7% on shots within two-point range, hitting 10 of 15 field goals throughout the match. She also hit 4-5 free throws against the Tigers with three offensive and seven defensive rebounds contributed on top of an assist and a block in the match.
Returning sophomore Bailey Harris posted 19 points of her own in the match. She went 6-12 on field goals, 1-3 on shots from beyond-the-arc and 6-8 from the free throw line with two rebounds and an assists.
Ouachita Baptist (5-3, 1-3 GAC) was led by Makayla Miller and Laney Mears with 14 points each.
The Tigers were the first team to put points on the board in the opening quarter, scoring eight straight points before the Blossoms could respond. UAM were able to hit a handful of baskets, but were unable to reclaim the lead for the remainder of the quarter. UAM came out 3-12 on field goals, 0-1 on threes and 4-8 on free throws. The two teams would head into the second quarter with Ouachita Baptist on top 25-10.
The second quarter was the lowest scoring quarter of the game. The Blossoms were able to outscore the Tigers in the second ten minutes 19 points to 10. UAM shot for only 31% of their field goals throughout the quarter. Ouachita Baptist would shoot for 21% in their performance. The teams would finish the half and head to the locker rooms with the Tigers on top, 35-29.
The third quarter proved to once again go the Blossoms way as they would outscore the Tigers, 24-12 in the third ten minute period of the game. Ouachita Baptist would only go 4-16 on field goals, compared to Arkansas-Monticello’s 11-14.
The fourth and final quarter of the game was an action packed 10 minutes. Cyarah Kensmil found a jump shot in the paint fifteen seconds in to score the first points of the quarter. The Blossoms would fight throughout the final fourth of the game, outscoring the visiting Ouachita Baptist for the third time, with a difference of 24-18, eventually coming out on top of the match with a final score of 77-65.
Arkansas-Monticello committed 15 turnovers in the entirety of the match.
UP NEXT
The Blossoms return to action on Thursday, January 5 when they travel to Weatherford, Oklahoma to take on Great American Conference foe Southwestern Oklahoma State University in the first game of their Oklahoma road trip. The match is set to begin at 6:30 p.m.
All live streams and live stats will be available as clickable links on the UAM Women’s basketball schedule.
UAM would like to give a thank you to this afternoon’s game day sponsor, Bad Boy Mowers. Thank you for your continued support of UAM Athletics!
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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