Rebounding and perimeter shooting made the difference for the University of Arkansas-Monticello in an 84-72 Great American Conference women’s basketball victory over Arkansas Tech University Saturday afternoon at Steelman Field House in Monticello.
The Cotton Blossoms (16-8 overall, 11-7 GAC) out-rebounded the Golden Suns 47-28 and connected on 10-of-17 3-point attempts (59 percent) to earn their second win in the last 25 meetings between the two programs.
UA-Monticello ranked 258th in the nation in 3-point field goal percentage (.274) and 270th in the nation in 3-point field goals made (4.4 per game) entering Saturday’s game.
“(UAM) did a really good job of hitting shots,” said Dave Wilbers, ATU head coach. “There were times we were good defensively, and there were times we needed to be better. It didn’t matter if we were in zone or man-to-man. We have to do a better job pursuing and rebounding the basketball. There was a time there during the second quarter when we gave up way too many offensive rebounds.”
UA-Monticello finished with an 18-8 edge in offensive rebounds and a 21-10 advantage in second-chance points.
The Cotton Blossoms claimed the lead midway through the first quarter and never relinquished it. They led 20-11 after one quarter and 42-32 at halftime.
Arkansas Tech (14-8, 11-7) got as close as three points on three occasions in the second half, but an 11-2 run by UAM midway through the fourth quarter gave it an insurmountable 73-58 lead with 2:49 to go.
Mackenzie Tillman paced the Blossoms with 15 points and eight rebounds. Berniezha Tidwell added 13 points, while eight of Nina Kizzee’s 12 points came in the fourth quarter.
Kaley Shipman scored a game-high 20 points for the Golden Suns. It was her fourth game with 20 or more points this season.
Jayana Sanders notched 18 points, Sarah Heard contributed 13 points, Ke’Vonshaye Stackhouse netted 10 points and Lycia Peevy had nine points for Arkansas Tech.
UAM’s bench outscored ATU’s bench 37-2.
The Golden Suns will begin their final homestand of the 2019-20 season by hosting Oklahoma Baptist University for a 5:30 p.m. GAC contest at Tucker Coliseum in Russellville on Thursday, Feb. 20.
Tickets ($5 adults/$3 students and senior citizens) will be available at the door. Those with a valid ATU identification card will be admitted free of charge.
Radio station KCJC 102.3 FM and www.arkansastechsports.com will provide live coverage.
