DURANT, Okla. -- The Southern Nazarene Women's basketball team looked to bounced back from their gut-wrenching home loss to SWOSU on Thursday night as they faced off against Southeastern Oklahoma State on Saturday afternoon. After a hard-fought game, the matchup saw SEOSU prevail 70-61, giving Southeastern their first win in this year's series between the teams.
 
The two met twice last season where the Savage Storm (3-2, 3-2 GAC) were able to break a three-game winning streak of SNU (0-2- 0-2 GAC) and skate by with a 63-60 win in Durant. This season, the game provided the same competitiveness and excitement as the matchup came down to the wire. On the stat sheet, Southern Nazarene had the upper hand as they led in rebounds, blocks, points in the paint, and bench points. However, advantages in those categories weren't enough to produce a win in the end.
 
Southeastern Oklahoma State held the Storm to a 38.1 field goal percentage, slightly edging their opponent by shooting 42.1 percent from the floor. The rim seemed to have a lid on it when it came to SNU shooting threes, as the Crimson Storm were only able to convert 3-of-20 from behind the arc. Turnovers again plagued Southern Nazarene as they coughed up 14, compared to forcing nine from the Savage Storm. Still, SNU kept this matchup close with another tenacious effort despite a depleted roster once again.
 
Sophomore Cassandra Awatt led the way for Southern Nazarene for the second game in a row, as she collected her first career double-double of her career. She finished with 18 points and came down with a career-high 12 rebounds. Emily Monaghan was also productive for SNU, as she added 15 points and two rebounds.
 
Junior guard transfer Elan Wali had a certain impact as she saw a lot of action in the second game of the season, finishing with 13 points and six rebounds. Seniors Abby Niehues and Kennedy Gillette clawed their way under the basket as they snatched eight and 10 rebounds on the evening, respectively. Niehues would add six points while Gillette finished with five.
 
Southeastern Oklahoma State came out hot in the third quarter as they posted 23 points and knocked down four triples. The Storm outscored Southeastern in the fourth to cut into the lead, but the Savage Storm's run in the third proved too be much as they squeezed out their third win of the season.
 
Southern Nazarene will look to get their first win of the season as they travel to Ada next Thursday to battle against the East Central Tigers (2-1, 2-1 GAC). Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 pm.