Box Score

MONTICELLO, Ark. – Junior guard Aarika Reyna knocked down a season-high four three-pointers and led the team with 14 points on Thursday night, but it would not be enough to lift the Southern Arkansas women's basketball team past rivals Arkansas-Monticello as the Lady Muleriders fell to the Cotton Blossoms by a score of 63-44.
 
The game was a tight back-and-forth affair in the first half as there were four tie scores and four lead changes, but a small two-point, 27-25, halftime lead for the Cotton Blossoms (7-18, 3-16 GAC) would quickly swell to a 10-point UAM lead as they opened up the second half on an 8-0 run.
 
Four combined three-pointers, three of which came from Reyna, followed and brought the Lady Muleriders (11-14, 7-12 GAC) to within five points, 39-34, with 12:19 left in the game.
 
That would be as close as the Lady Muleriders would be able to get the rest of the way out as the Cotton Blossoms steadily built upon their lead before ending with a 19-point win, 63-44.
 
Chanel Miller would join Reyna in double-figure scoring as she added 10 points. Miller has now scored 10 or more points in 20 of 24 games played this season.
 
As a team, the Lady Muleriders would shoot just 28% from the floor (18-of-64), but in an eye-popping disparity, they only attempted three free throws, making two, for the game. Conversely, the Cotton Blossoms shot 25 free throws for the game, making 15. Additionally, the Cotton Blossoms shot 45% from the floor (21-of-47).
 
The Lady Muleriders will now head home for their regular-season finale against Henderson State on Saturday, March 1. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. and immediately following the game, the Lady Muleriders' lone senior, Stevi Cooper, will be honored.