ADA, Okla. — For the first time since the 2013-14 season, Southern Nazarene has swept the season series with East Central as they battled to a 63-60 victory on Saturday afternoon.
After a rough first half shooting just 25 percent from the floor, the Crimson Storm (7-9, 6-4 GAC) overcame an 18-point first-half deficit and took down the Tigers (12-4, 7-3 GAC) on their home floor. SNU committed nine turnovers in the first 20 minutes as East Central shot 48 percent from the floor, including 44 percent from behind the arc.
The second half was a different story as Southern Nazarene shot 11-for-21 (52%) from the floor and held ECU to 7-of-30 (23%) in the final 20 minutes.
Senior guard
Adrienne Berry bounced back after a tough Thursday night to score a game-high 22 points on 7-of-11 shooting, including 4-of-7 shooting from downtown. Berry also added nine rebounds in the contest as well.
Alexus Jones was magnificent in orchestrating the Storm offense as she tallied 12 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists in the game.
Abby Niehues chipped in 12 points as well to go along with seven rebounds and two blocks.
Irene Perez added eight points and five rebounds for SNU while senior
Madeline Schroepfer scored seven points and pulled down six rebounds.
The Crimson Storm struggled out of the gate as they shot just 3-of-12 (25%) in the first quarter. ECU shot 58 percent in the period and forced four turnovers out of SNU as the Storm trailed 19-11 heading into the second.
East Central added to their lead to start the second, as they opened the period on an 16-6 run to make it 35-17 midway through, as the Storm tried to get out of their shooting funk. SNU held the Tigers to just one point in the final three minutes as they faced a 36-22 deficit heading into the break.
Coach May and company came out in the second half on a mission, and their defense was the vocal point. They held East Central to 3-of-16 shooting (18%) while picking up their offensive production. They shot 43 percent in the third and outscored the Tigers 17-9 to face a 45-39 deficit heading into the fourth.
The final frame was where the Storm was fiercest as they shot 55 percent from the floor and 66 percent from behind the arc. They held the Tigers to 28 percent shooting as they began their comeback. SNU scored 24 points in the period and East Central had no answer as the Crimson Storm have now won five of their last six games.
Southern Nazarene returns home to the Sawyer Center next Thursday and Saturday as they kickoff the weekend with a conference battle against Arkansas-Monticello on Thursday night at 5:30 p.m.
