Box Score MONTICELLO, Ark. – SWOSU fell to Arkansas-Monticello 68-56 on Saturday afternoon in Monticello, Ark., in Great American Conference action inside the Steelman Field House.
UAM came out and scored seven quick points in the first three minutes of the game to build a 7-4 lead over the Lady Bulldogs. The Cotton Blossoms would increase their lead to 10-4 thanks to a Jordan Goforth make from long range. However, UAM went cold over the next three minutes thanks to some stingy defense by SWOSU, missing six of their next seven shots. SWOSU took the opportunity to get back in the game, going on an 11-0 run and building a 15-10 lead.
Baskets would be hard to come by down the stretch in the first half, with both teams combining to make just three of their next 13 shots. UAM regained the lead with 6:07 left to play before a layup by Courtni Gibson with four seconds left gave UAM a slight 30-28 lead going into halftime.
The Cotton Blossoms steadily built their lead in the second half, with SWOSU twice going on cold streaks spanning at least three minutes.
Nina Gregory came in for
Korina Chapman after Chapman got in foul trouble and poured in a career-high seven points in an effort to get SWOSU back in the game. Chapman came back in with 1:11 left in the game and scored five points to draw SWOSU within 62-54 and a hope of stealing the game late. UAM would score four of their final five shots to seal the game.
Jessica Penner continued to dominate down low, scoring a game-high 20 points on 7-12 shooting to go along with eight rebounds.
Jennifer Williams and
Chelsea Bates both finished with eight points, while Chapman had a game-high 11 rebounds.
"I thought Nina did really well coming off the bench and not forcing anything," said Head Coach
Kelsi Musick. "Some of our shots didn't fall and we needed to be better about hitting our open looks. We'll watch the film, get back to the gym and work hard to improve before our next game."
The loss drops SWOSU to 5-10 on the season and 2-7 in conference play. They complete the final game of a three-game road trip on Thursday when they face in-state rival Northwestern Oklahoma State in Alva, Okla., in the Purcefull Fieldhouse. Tip-time is slated for 5:30 PM.
