The University of Arkansas at Monticello Blossoms got their 2023-24 Great American Conference season underway with a pair of contests starting on Thursday, November 30, at home in Steelman Fieldhouse against Arkansas Tech and on Saturday, December 1, on the road in Arkadelphia facing Henderson State.
Alindsey Long got the Blossoms on the board to begin the contest with a jumper at 8:59 of the first quarter.
Tech would go on a 7-0 run before Alyssia Thorne ended the run with a layup to cut the lead to 7-4.
Kelsey Blakemore cut the lead to one point, 8-7, after a three pointer with 1:20 left in the quarter.
The Golden Suns would increase their lead to five, 13-8, by the end of the quarter.
Arkansas Tech continued to lead the Blossoms throughout the second quarter holding a six point advantage at the end of the half to take a 21-15 lead into the locker room at the break.
Tech increased their lead to 13 points, 28-15, with 7:23 showing on the clock in the third quarter and would keep their lead, closing the quarter with an 11 point, 39-28, lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Tech increased the lead to 15 points with 8:48 remaining in the contest but the Blossoms would come back to cut the lead to four points with 6:26 remaining but the Golden Suns would be able to increase the lead back to 10 points by the end of the contest to take a 58-48 win.
The Blossoms were led by Bailey Harris with 18 points with Haleigh Crews with nine points.
Kelsey Blakemore and Jayla Stirgus each scored six points. Alindsey Long with four, Alyssia Thorne with three, and Azaria Hulbert with two.
Returning on the road to face Henderson State University, the Blossoms would drop their second conference contest 97-69.
The Blossoms had three players in double-digits with Harris scoring 16, Long with 15, and Thorne with 11.
The Blossoms and Weevils will return on Saturday, December 9, in the Jingle Jam at home in Steelman Fieldhous, hosting Harding University in GAC action at 1 pm.
