MONTICELLO, Ark. – Arkansas-Monticello’s Women’s Basketball team will open its 2025-26 campaign on Friday, November 13, and Saturday, November 14 at the MIAA/GAC Crossover in Fort Smith, Arkansas. The Blossoms will take on the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Lions at 5:30 p.m. on the 13th and the Jets of Newman University at 1:00 p.m. on the 14th inside the Gayle Kaundart Arena at the Stubblefield Center on the campus of the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith.
Coming off a hard-fought 71-64 exhibition loss to Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, Louisiana, the Blossoms are looking to build on their performance as they prepare for the upcoming MIAA/GAC Crossover. Arkansas-Monticello showed determination throughout the matchup and will look to carry that momentum into the start of the 2026-27 regular season.
PRESEASON NOTES
Beginning the 2026-27 campaign ranked 12th in the GAC Preseason Conference Poll, UAM will look to the four Blossoms returning from the 25-26 season, six transfers, and three true freshmen new to Monticello, for a thrilling season. Head Coach David Midlick returns for his fifth year at the helm of the Women’s Basketball team, alongside Assistant Coach Lauren Bogle in her first year.
2026-27 Roster:
#2 Keely Blanchard – Guard | Junior Transfer from North Arkansas Community College
#3 Hannah Moore – Wing/Forward | Junior Transfer from Hinds Community College
#5 Brilynn Findley – Guard | Returning Junior
#10 Sydney Donaldson – Guard | Junior Transfer from Iowa Western Community College
#11 Cy’Nara Robinson – Wing/Forward | Junior Transfer from Pearl River Community College
#12 Landrey Richardson – Forward | Junior Transfer from National Park Community College
#14 Casey Teague – Forward | Junior Transfer from Mineral Area Community College
#15 Cydney Sanders – Guard | True Freshman from Baptist Prep High School | North Little Rock, AR
#20 Brooklyn Kuchinski – Guard | True Freshman from Benton High School | Benton, AR
#21 Molly Stedman – Guard | True Freshman from Lancaster High School | Canal Winchester, OH
#23 Taleigha Ealy – Center | Returning Junior
#24 Alyssa Batton – Point Guard | Returning Junior
#25 Nicole Weaver – Guard | Returning Senior
LAST MEETING
University of Arkansas – Fort Smith – The Cotton Blossoms claimed a 60-45 victory over the Lions in their last meeting on November 14, 2025, during the MIAA/GAC Crossover Tournament in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Alyssa Batton led the way for Arkansas-Monticello with 23 points in the matchup. Batton hit 6-of-13 field goals on the day, with three three-pointers and 8-of-12 free throws. She also contributed six defensive rebounds in her 32 minutes played, along with two assists, one block, and one steal. Alindsey Long followed behind in double digits, posting 15 points of her own. Long went 5-of-15 on field goals and 4-of-8 from beyond the arc, while adding two defensive rebounds, one assist, and one steal. The Blossoms opened the game strong, outscoring the Lions 20-17 in the first quarter. However, Arkansas-Fort Smith responded in the second, holding UAM to just five points while scoring 10 of its own. The teams headed into the locker rooms at halftime with the Blossoms trailing 27-25. Arkansas-Monticello came out strong in the second half, outscoring the Lions 17-6 in the third quarter to regain control of the game. UAM continued its momentum into the fourth, adding 18 points while holding UAFS to 12. A three-pointer from Long with 2:45 remaining gave the Blossoms their largest lead of the game at 18 points. Arkansas-Monticello maintained its advantage down the stretch, securing a 60-45 victory over the Lions to open the 2025-26 season.
Newman University – Arkansas-Monticello claimed a 61-54 victory over the Jets of Newman University in their last meeting on November 15, 2025, during the MIAA/GAC Crossover Tournament in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Alindsey Long led the way for Arkansas-Monticello with 18 points in the matchup. Long hit 8-of-16 field goals on the day, with two three-pointers made. She also contributed three rebounds in her 37 minutes played, along with two assists and two steals. Alyssa Batton followed behind with 14 points of her own. Batton went 5-of-14 on field goals, 2-of-3 from beyond the arc, and 2-of-4 from the free-throw line, while adding five rebounds and one assist. Brilynn Findley was the final Blossom in double digits, posting 12 points. Findley went 5-of-12 on field goals and 2-of-4 from the free-throw line, while grabbing eight rebounds, three assists, and two steals. The Jets controlled the opening half, outscoring the Blossoms 18-16 in the first quarter and 17-10 in the second. UAM battled through a back-and-forth opening period, tying the game four times before Newman pulled ahead. The teams headed into the locker rooms at halftime with the Blossoms trailing 35-26. Arkansas-Monticello came out strong in the second half, outscoring the Jets 18-10 in the third quarter to cut the deficit to just one point, 45-44. The Blossoms continued their momentum into the fourth, holding Newman to just nine points while scoring 17 of their own. A jumper from Batton gave UAM the advantage as the Blossoms pushed their lead to a game-high seven points. Arkansas-Monticello maintained control in the closing minutes, securing a 61-54 comeback victory over the Jets to close out the tournament undefeated.
ALL-TIME SERIES
University of Arkansas – Fort Smith – UAM has a current 4-8 all-time record against the Lions since the first match in November of 2009, which was an 88-81 win for the Blossoms. The last win came in November of 2025, with the Blossoms winning 60-45. Overall, Arkansas-Monticello is averaging 64.75 points over 12 games played, with 777 total points scored.
Newman University – The Blossoms and Jets have met only three times in program history, winning all three games. On November 15, 2025, the Blossoms won 61-54, in the GAC/MIAA Crossover Tournament last year. Arkansas-Monticello is averaging 67.67 points, with 203 total points.
GAME RECAPS
After the conclusion of each game, Weevil Basketball will have a release posted to uamsports.com, X and Facebook, which will give a recap of the game. They can be found on the schedule page as a clickable link after the end of each game, or on UAM Sports social media accounts.
How to follow the Blossoms: For more information on Arkansas-Monticello Women’s Basketball, visit www.uamsports.com and follow the team’s social media channels on X and Instagram.
#GoBlossoms | #BlossomNation
Article published with permission of UAM Athletics.
