A neck-and-neck game turned into a runaway win for the University of Arkansas at Monticello, as an 18-1 run over the final 5:49 helped the Cotton Blossoms pick up a 66-52 women’s basketball win over Arkansas Baptist College on Tuesday at Steelman Field House.
UAM (3-0) closed the game on a 10-0 rally over the final 2:46 of a game that had seen 12 lead changes and 11 ties. The Blossoms, playing their home opener, struggled shooting from the floor (22 of 65, 33.8%), but their defense shined through with 11 steals and they made 12 of 15 free throws – after shooting none in the first 30 minutes.
Alindsey Long made 5 of UAM’s 10 3-pointers and finished with 19 points. She was 6 for 19 from the floor and added 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals.
Alyssa Batton had 13 points and 6 rebounds, and Janae Southall scored 12 points for the Blossoms, who trailed 13-9 through one quarter and 30-28 at halftime, but were tied with the Lady Buffaloes (0-2) at 41-all through three quarters. The Lady Buffs’ largest lead was 34-28 with 7:33 left in the third.
Jade Fry, who led Arkansas Baptist with 20 points, made a go-ahead 3-pointer with 6:05 left, but Batton responded with a 3 to force the game’s 11th tie at the 5:49 mark. Two Nicole Weaver free throws 34 seconds left put UAM ahead for good.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Fry was the only player with 10 or more points for the Lady Buffs, who made 20 of 53 shots (37.7%) from the floor. They were just 3 for 12 from the arc (Fry made 3 of 7), and 9 for 19 at the foul line.
UAM will return to action Thursday at home against Crowley’s Ridge College. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m.
UAM has announced, due to ongoing renovations at Steelman, entrance is now on the west side of the gymnasium. Fans who want to sit behind the teams are asked to arrive prior to tipoff so as to not interfere with the game. Portable bathrooms are on the opposite side of Steelman next to the baseball field, and concessions are not available (outside food and drinks are not allowed in the gym).
Mississippi Delta 53, SEARK 51
In Moorhead, Miss., a field goal with 5 seconds left put Mississippi Delta Community College (4-1) ahead for good in a 2-point victory over Southeast Arkansas College.
The Sharks (0-3) called timeout and drew up a play, but missed a 3-point shot at the end. They had led for 36 straight minutes.
This was the second contest against an NJCAA Division I team for the Sharks, who lost their season opener to Coahoma Community College in Pine Bluff. SEARK plays in Division II and is in its second year of competition.
Despite the loss, SEARK’s James Thatcher said the Sharks have gotten better each game. Thatcher was announced as head coach Oct. 28.
Brooke Glasgow scored 15 points, Stephana Steen dropped in 12 points (made three 3-pointers), and Anitra Honore contributed 10 points and 15 rebounds for SEARK, which will return to the court Monday at Coahoma near Clarksdale, Miss.