University of Arkansas Monticello - Boll Weevil Yearbook (Monticello, AR)

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Front: Coach Alvy Early. Row 1: Angie Bowers, | Teresa Summerford, Dena Dennis, Betty Ree Mc- Donald, Kathy Tacito. Row 2: Linda McDougald, Angenette Mitchell, Vivian Cooper, Kim Clary. Row | 3: Sandy Culp, Janine Hobbs. Row 4: Brenda Hec- tor, manager; Beth Steed, trainer; Camille Clay, Terri Grimes. Row 5: Gwen Walker, Teresa Wil- liams. Below left: Dena Dennis throws her way out of a peculiar situation. Below: Tersa Summerford searches for an open Blossom. 228 Athletics

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Left: Dena Dennis blocks a Riderette shot. Above: Cotton Blossoms Terri Grimes and Kim Clary move the ball down court. Right: Teresa Williams takes a shot from the foul line. Athletics 227

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fe Teresa Williams goes up for an easy two points. The Blossoms started the year in im- pressive fashion with four straight wins over UALR, Arkansas State, Henderson and Philander Smith before suffering a 108-36 pounding at Delta State. UAM rebounded with wins over Arkan- sas College and Ouachita to set up a rematch with Delta State in the Pit. The Lady Statesmen came into the game as one of the top women’s college basket- ball teams in the country, but had to fight for their lives to escape with a 75-65 win. It was UAM’s best performance of the year and Walker was spectacular, scoring 33 points, mostly from long range. ‘That’s the best I ever saw Gwen play,” Early commented after the game. ‘“‘She was just tremendous. Delta State’s coach told me Gwen played as well as the girls she coached at the World Univerity Games.” After their struggle with Delta State, the Blossoms suffered a letdown and dropped an important conference deci- sion to UAPB. UAM followed with a nar- row victory over UCA before losing to eventual league champion Arkansas Tech 63-58. The Blossoms came back with lopsided wins over Southern Arkansas and College of the Ozarks at home, but inexplicably lost a 78-77 overtime decision at SAU, a team they had beaten by 15 points four days earlier. After the loss to SAU, the Blossoms went on a tear, reeling off 10 straight wins to move into contention for the league title. UAPB broke the win streak with a 73-64 win. UAM closed out the regular season with a win over UCA and another loss to Tech. The Blossoms won their opening round game with UCA in the AWISA tournament at Conway, but for the third time lost to archrival UAPB to end the season. Reflecting on his first year in Monti- cello, Early noted, “I don’t think we can ever be satisfied with our season when we don’t win the conference, but the league had more competitive balance this season than it’s ever had. It was a good season and good experience. | just hope we can win 20 games every year.” Athletics 229