The University of Arkansas at Monticello Blossoms improved to 4-2 overall with a pair of non conference wins over the Thanksgiving Holiday break.
On Tuesday, November 21, the Blossoms would host the Arkansas Baptist Lady Buffaloes.
Bailey Harris would get the Blossoms on the board first in the contest on a layup and the Blossoms would not surrender their lead for the remainder of the first quarter.
Jayla Stirgus would give the blossoms a six point lead with 4:50 remaining in the quarter and would give the Blossoms an eight point lead with eight seconds remaining in the quarter to take a 17-9 lead at the end of the first.
The Blossoms would continue to lead throughout the second quarter, increasing their lead to double-digits with their largest lead coming with 1:07 remaining in the half, a 25-point lead after Ella Mask connected on a jumper in the paint.
Also in the second quarter, former Drew Central Lady Pirate Ali Jo Cruce would score her first points as a Blossom, connecting on a three.
The Blossoms would take a 23 point lead into the break, 38-15.
The Blossoms would maintain a 20-point lead for most of the third quarter, taking a 52-31 lead into the final quarter of play.
Arkansas Baptist would cut the lead to 15 points with 3:35 remaining in the contest but the Blossoms would increase the lead back to 20 points by the end of the contest, taking a 67-47 victory.
Bailey Harris led the Blossoms in scoring with 11 followed by Alindsey Long with 10.
Jayla Stirgus added nine, Alyssia Thorne with eight, and Thailan Payne with six.
Ella Mask and Ali Jo Cruce each scored five with Kelsey Blakemore, Haleigh Crews, and Nicole Weaver all adding four.
Azaria Hulbert rounded out the scoring with one point.
The Blossoms returned to Steelman Fieldhouse on Saturday, November 25, hosting the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith Lady Lions.
The Lady Lions and Blossoms would go back and forth for most of the first quarter until the Lady Lions increased their lead to eight points with the Blossoms cutting the lead to four points, 13-9 at the end of the quarter.
Both teams would exchange the lead in the second quarter with UAM coming out on top by one point, 26-25, at the half.
UAM would only relinquish the lead on one occasion in the third quarter, falling behind one, 37-36, with 2:33 remaining in the quarter but UAM would retake the lead to hold a 42-39 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
The Blossoms would continue to hold the lead throughout the fourth quarter, increasing their lead to the largest margin of the game, 14 points, 55-41, before going on to take the win 61-53.
Leading the way for UAM was Bailey Harris with 19 points followed by Alindsey Long with 12 and Alyssia Thourne with 10.
Haleigh Crews added eight, Azaria Hulbert and Kelsey Blakemore with four, and Jayla Stirgus and Taylor East with two points each.
The Blossoms and Weevils will begin conference play on Thursday, November 30, hosting Arkansas Tech with the Blossoms tipping off at 5:30 pm.
The teams will travel to Arkadelphia to face Henderson State University on Saturday, December 2, with the Blossoms and Lady Reddies tipping off at 1 pm followed by the Weevils at 3 pm.
