BETHANY – The Southern Nazarene Men's Basketball team was back in the Sawyer Center to host Southeastern Oklahoma State on Thursday night. The Crimson Storm (4-4, 4-4 GAC) were looking to bounce back after a tough loss Monday night against Oklahoma Baptist but SNU was unable to make that happen in the end, and as they fell 62-54 to the Savage Storm (3-5, 3-5 GAC). 
 
Adokiye Iyaye played well for the Crimson Storm, as he totaled 20 points and three rebounds. Despite struggling from the field, Manny Dixon also put together a solid performance, scoring 13 points and controlling the glass with 11 rebounds. 
 
The game started out very competitive as the things was tied 5-5 three minutes into the contest. The Crimson Storm struggled to get their shots to fall in the first half, as they made just 28 percent of their field goals and just 26 percent of their 3-point tries. The Savage Storm took advantage of the Crimson Storm's shooting woes as they shot 43.3 percent from the floor and forcing seven SNU turnovers in the opening 20 minutes.
 
Even though the Crimson Storm failed to take a lead on Southeastern in the first half, they were still able to find ways to stay in the game. On the defensive side, the Crimson Storm blocked a couple of shots, and didn't commit a single foul until just a few minutes remained in the half. Karlyn Kenner was a bright spot for SNU in the first half as he recorded all nine of his points, as he knocked down three triples. Iyaye led the way for SNU in the first half as he scored seven of his 20 points, and also recorded three rebounds in the first half of play. The Crimson Storm trailed Southeastern 30-20, but they were in a perfect position to make a comeback in the second half. 
 
Southeastern Oklahoma State started on a 10-2 run to start the second half of play to take their biggest lead of the game at 40-22. SNU responded on a 10-0 run which put them within single digits at 40-32 with 11:30 left. The Savage Storm continued to limit SNU's offensive production, which allowed them to continue to expand their lead. 
 
SNU was able to rally late in the second half to make it a close game as they got within seven points at 52-59 with just 40 seconds left in the game. Ultimately, the Crimson Storm were unable to overcome Southeastern and fall to 4-4 in the Great American Conference.
 
The Crimson Storm will look to put the pieces back together on Saturday afternoon as they travel to Weatherford for a battle against Southwestern Oklahoma State (5-2) (5-2 GAC). Tip-off is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.