Box Score BETHANY, Okla. — CJ Smith scored a career-high 29 points for Southern Nazarene in an 89-85 loss to York (Neb.) in the 2013-14 season opener.
 
The Crimson Storm (0-1) battled back form being down 14 early in the second half to eventually taking its first lead, since the 5:35 mark in the first half, with an 83-82 lead with 3:38 to play. That was the last lead though for SNU as The Panthers (3-0) pulled away down the stretch with clutch stops and buckets.
 
Smith was 9-for-15 from the field and 10-for-11 from the free throw line. He also had seven rebounds and two steals. Quan Conner added 22 points and five rebounds. LB Willis also scored 11 points off of the bench and had four rebounds.
 
The Storm shot 39.7 percent from the field going 27-for-68 and struggled from the perimeter hitting just 4-for-26. The Panthers though hit 42.2 percent from the field and 31.3 percent from the 3-point line and forced 20 SNU turnovers. The Storm did out rebound York 43-34.
 
The Crimson Storm actually had its biggest lead of the game five minutes in at 11-6, but York answered with a 14-3 run to lead 20-14 with 10:09 left in the first. The Storm responded with a 16-7 run capped by a Smith trey to make it 30-27. The Panthers though closed out the half with an 18-5 stretch to take a 45-35 lead at the half.
 
Southern Nazarene will now get set to take on Oklahoma Christian inside the Eagles' nest for 7:30 p.m. contest.