LITTLE ROCK - The University of Arkansas - Monticello Cotton Blossoms basketball team dropped its exhibition opener Sunday, falling 80-45 to the University of Arkansas Little Rock Trojans at the Jack Stephens Center.

   UALR opened the game on a 16-4 run before junior Kristi Martin (Bay Springs, Miss.) drilled a 3-pointer to pull UAM to within 19-6 with 11:45 remaining. However, the Trojans continued their offensive onslaught; extending its lead to 26 points (38-12) with 1:36 remaining in the half before the Cotton Blossoms were able to narrow the gap to 24 (40-16) at halftime after Martin hit a pair of free throws.

   UAM narrowed the deficit to 20 (48-28) in the opening minutes of the second half after freshman Janette Thompson (Hot Springs) hit a pair of free throws with 13:57 remaining. UALR pushed its lead back out to 23 (64-41) before the Trojans closed the contest on a 16-4 run over the final 6:44.

   Martin led UAM with 13 points on 3-of-12 shooting, while freshman Erika Brown (Shreveport, La.) picked up a team-high five rebounds. The Cotton Blossoms were victimized by 23 turnovers on the night, and were out-rebounded 47-27 by the Trojans.

   UALR was led by Chastity Reed’s 18 points on the night, and had three other players score in double digits. The Trojans shot 53.3 percent from the floor for the game, including a 61.5 percent clip in the second half, while the Blossoms shot just 28 percent from the floor.

   The Cotton Blossoms will play an exhibition game against Northwestern (La.) State Saturday, Nov. 10. Tip-off from Natchitoches, La. is scheduled for noon.