Monticello, Ark. – The SAU Women's Basketball team dropped their Battle of the Timberlands matchup on Thursday in Drew County to the Cotton Blossoms 69-62 as the Muleriders, who lead at halftime, were unable to keep pace with a scorching-hot Blossom offense in the third quarter as the hosts regained the lead, a lead in which they would not concede.

The Blossoms scored 28 points in the third quarter as they shot 63.2 percent from the field in the quarter, turning a nine-point halftime deficit into a four-point lead headed into the final frame.

Kisi Young led the Muleriders in scoring for the third game running with 13 points on 5-6 shooting from the field, making her lone three-point attempt. Before fouling out late in the contest, the Magnolia native grabbed five rebounds and two steals.

Ariana Guinn w=also scored double figures with 11 points in 19 minutes off the bench.

Despite shooting 42 percent from the field, the Muleriders went 3-14 (21 percent) from three-point range, and committed 36 turnovers despite forcing their rivals into 31 turnovers of their own.

The Muleriders are now 15-8 on the season and 9-8 in conference play. They return to action this Saturday inside the W. T. Watson Center to face Ouachita Baptist.