MAGNOLIA, Ark. - Southern Nazarene took the court on Saturday in Magnolia hoping to get back on track after losing a tough game against Arkansas-Monticello. SNU led for the majority of the game as a result of great defense, but ultimately fell short 64-62 to Southern Arkansas in the last minute of the game.

The Muleriders (13-5, 7-5 GAC) were held to just 36 percent from the field in the game, and struggled from three, shooting just 17 percent. The Crimson Storm (11-5, 8-4 GAC) played with great effort all game, but at times they were just too sloppy. That sloppiness caused SNU to have 24 total turnovers in the game.

SAU took advantage of the SNU's turnovers, and scored a total of 17 points off of them. The Muleriders struggled shooting free throws as they ended the say 10-of-26 from the charity stripe. Even though SNU lost, they displayed some things to look back on as successes.

Southern Nazarene out rebounded Southern Arkansas 50-41, and also controlled the paint outscoring SAU 44-34.

Graduate Transfer Myriam Garcia was a bright spot for the Storm today, as she rolled in a career-high 21 points on 10-of-20 shooting from the floor. Garcia also came away with 11 rebounds, another career-high, and put in a very good defensive effort with three blocks. Garcia has been huge for SNU as she has posted 34 points in the last couple games.

Jaycee Soap followed behind chiming in nine points, but only shot 3-of-10 from the field. Soap had sticky fingers as she was able to poke away three steals from the Muleriders. Kennedy Gillette was another member of the Storm who certainly made her name known today, putting together nine points along with a career-high 11 rebounds.

A big story of the game today was Gillette getting ejected after tempers flared with the game getting tight in the third quarter. Before this point, SNU heavily controlled the contest, but knew that after this, it was going to be a fight. 

It was a very sloppy first quarter for the Crimson Storm as they coughed up seven turnovers. SAU took advantage of their sloppiness, and controlled the majority of the first. Southern Nazarene clawed their way to end the quarter tied up with Southern Arkansas. In the first minute of the second, SNU took the lead, and because of a great defensive effort it looked like they had complete control. They even got up to a 13 point lead in the third, and it looked like they would finally pull away.

SAU then ripped off a big 9-1 run. Going into the fourth, SNU held a three point lead, but SAU had momentum on their side. The Muleriders finally took the lead with five minutes left, after being down since the start of the second quarter. With 16 seconds left, the Storm took control of the ball, losing by two. SNU tried to stun SAU with a game winning shot in front of their home crowd, but they fell short 64-62.

Southern Arkansas will travel back home on Thursday to battle Henderson State (13-5, 8-4 GAC) on "White Hot" night. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 pm.