Tidwell, Lampo trigger GAC road wins

ARKADELPHIA — Former Hot Springs Lady Trojan Berniezha Tidwell scored 20 points Saturday as Arkansas-Monticello handed Henderson State its first Great American Conference defeat of the season, 79-70, at the Duke Wells Center.

Saturday was Tidwell’s first appearance of the season after transferring from Highland Community College. She made 8 of 16 attempt from the field, including a 3-pointer, and posted six rebounds and three steals.

Henderson (7-2, 3-1) and Monticello

(3-5, 2-2) were tied, 55-55, heading into the fourth quarter, but the Reddies were outscored, 24-15, in the final period. The hosts shot just 41.4 percent and committed 22 turnovers.

The Reddies got on the board first with a layup from Hailey Estes, but the Blossoms negated the 13-5 lead with a

10-0 run leading into the first media timeout of the afternoon. Five quick points from Blu Jones after the break and a 3-pointer by Brittany Branum as time expired on the first quarter pulled Henderson to within six points at 21-15.

A free throw by Branum cut the deficit to 21-16 early in the second quarter. Monticello used a 7-0 run to take the first double digit lead of the afternoon at 28-16. The lead stretched to 3823 with 2:17 to play until the end of the half, but a 9-1 Reddies run highlighted by a 3-pointer from Lani Snowden closed the gap to 39-32 at the break.

Five points from Jones in the first four minutes of the second half cut the lead to 43-39 and, after a basket from Monticello’s Chari Swift, a 7-0 run gave the Reddies their first lead, 46-45, since the opening minutes.

Pink Jones got the scoring started for Henderson in the fourth quarter, giving the Reddies a 57-55 lead, but Monticello answered with a 7-2 run to reclaim the lead, 62-59. Another jumper from Pink Jones pulled the Reddies within one point, but Monticello answered again with a 7-0 spurt to push the lead to eight points at 69-61. Henderson closed to within five points in the final minutes at 73-68, but the Reddies were unable to put serious pressure on Monticello down the stretch.

Blu Jones scored 18 points and Pink Jones added 16 with Snowden scoring 11. Henderson will return to action Tuesday night on the road at Southeastern Oklahoma State (4-3, 3-1).

Swift added 19 points for Monticello. Mackenzie Johnson scored 16 points and Jaida Harden added 11.

Monticello is scheduled to host Delta State (7-2) on Wednesday at 1 p.m. before taking off through the holiday break and resuming GAC play in January.

Harding 66, Ouachita Baptist 45

ARKADELPHIA — On a second visit to Arkadelphia, Kellie Lampo regained her shooting touch on the other side of the city’s famous ravine.

The sophomore post from Jessieville scored 25 points as Harding (7-2,

3-1) downed Ouachita Baptist (4-5, 2-2),

66-45, Saturday at Bill Vining Arena. Lampo, a two-year college starter, made 10 of 18 floor shots and 5 of 6 free throws, also contributing five rebounds and three assists.

Carissa Caples added a career-high

23 points for Harding with four 3-point baskets on 9-for-13 shooting.

Lampo scored 14 points in the first half, her jumper and two layups sparking a 19-3 run that bridged the first and second quarter. During that stretch, Ouachita only made 1 of 15 shots and finished the half at 21 percent shooting.

Caples scored 10 points and Lampo seven as Harding outscored the Tigers,

19-17, in the third period.

A four-year starter in high school, Lampo topped 20 points for the third

time this season with season highs of 29 points and 11 rebounds on Nov. 24 at Cameron. She came off a 5-for-16 game shooting, missing 8 of 17 free throws, in Harding’s 84-77 road loss to Henderson State on Dec. 8.

Harding’s next game is Dec. 31 at Arkansas-Fort Smith (3-8). The Lady Bisons are scheduled to be at home on Feb. 9 against Ouachita and on Feb. 16 against Henderson.

Alivia Huell, of Malvern, led Ouachita, which had won back-toback conference games, with nine points. The Tigers travel to Claremore, Okla., for a game Tuesday against Rogers State (5-6) and play two more on the road before a Jan. 10 home game against GAC rival Southwestern Oklahoma State (9-1, 4-0).