UAM Cotton Blossoms Fall to Riverhawks, 79-41

Courtesy University of Arkansas at Monticello Athletics Department

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Northeastern State made its first six three-point field goal attempts to start the game and jumped out to a 10-point lead in the first three minutes of the first half, maintaining that double-digit lead for the remainder of the contest to defeat the University of Arkansas at Monticello women’s basketball team 79-41 on Tuesday in the final game of the 2012 calendar year.

The Riverhawks (5-4) did not miss a three-point attempt until the 10:47 mark of the first half, but at that point, had already grown their lead to 25-9. The UAM Cotton Blossoms (2-7) were able to hold NSU to around the 20-point lead for the first half, but three more made three-pointers from the Riverhawks in the first five minutes of the second half grew NSU’s lead to 30 points with 14:19 remaining in regulation.

For the game, NSU shot 56 percent from the field (33-of-59), 52 percent on three-pointers (11-of-21) and 67 percent on foul shots (2-of-3). UAM Cotton Blossoms shot 35 percent from the field (17-of-48), 14 percent on three-pointers (2-of-14) and 63 percent on foul shots (5-of-8).

Junior Demetra Howlingwolf led the Cotton Blossoms with 12 points after connecting on 4-of-10 field goal attempts and 3-of-4 foul shots. Junior Raija McWright followed with eight points and three assists, while sophomore Catherine Puckett added seven points.

NSU was led by three double-digit scorers. Taylor Lewis led all scorers with 18 points, while Carrington Fox and Tosha Tyler contributed with 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Following the holiday break, the Cotton Blossoms return to Great American Conference action on January 3 on the road against East Central. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m. in Ada, Okla.