Monticello, Ark. – Kristen Williams and Chastity Noble combined for 34 points, but the University of Arkansas-Monticello went on a 10-0 run late in the second half to defeat St. Mary’s University, 73-66, in women’s basketball action Friday night at Steelman Fieldhouse.

The Cotton Blossoms broke the game open in the first half with a 16-1 run that turned a two-point game into a 29-12 advantage. St. Mary’s cut the deficit to 12 at the break on a jumper by Amber Polvado (Fr., Weslaco, Texas). UAM quickly increased their lead to 15 points early in the second half, but again the Rattlers rallied. Noble (Sr., El Paso, Texas) hit a pair of 3-points to jump start an 11-0 run, making the score 42-38, UAM.

The Cotton Blossoms increased their lead to nine points again midway through the second half, before the Rattlers rallied one last time. Noble hit another three-pointer and Kristen Williams (Jr., Kansas City, Mo.) made two baskets during a 10-1 run that tied the game at 53 with 5:50 left to play. However, just when the Rattlers had gotten themselves back into the game, the Cotton Blossoms 10-0 run over the next four minutes was the final nail. A three-pointer by Nicole James (So., Indianapolis) cut the deficit to five points with 22 seconds to play, but the Cotton Blossoms made 10-of-12 free throws over the last 1:06 to hold off the rally.

Williams led all players with 18 points and 7 rebounds on 7-of-16 shots from the field. Noble scored 16 points, before she fouled out with 2:47 left, hitting on 5-of-11 shots from the field and 4-of-8 attempts from three-point range. Liz Boyd (Fr., San Antonio) made 10-of-13 free throws and scored a season-high 14 points off the bench.

With the loss, St. Mary’s fell to 5-3 this season, while UAM improved to 2-3. The Rattlers will wrap up play at the Holiday Inn Express Classic when they play Ouachita Baptist University at noon on Saturday.

Arkansas-Monticello 73, St. Mary’s (Texas) 66
12/04/09 7:40 PM at Monticello, AR – Steelman Field House
2nd Annual Holiday Inn Express Classic

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