BETHANY, Okla. — New court. Same Storm.
The Southern Nazarene Women's Basketball Team picked up right where they left off last season and broke in the new hardwood with a season opening 86-38 victory over the visiting Eagles from Oklahoma Wesleyan University.
The reigning Great American Conference Champions welcomed a large Homecoming crowd to the Sawyer Center to celebrate the start of season and to dedicate the shiny new court to Southern Nazarene legend Bobby Martin. The updated hardwood definitely served the Storm well as they came out locked and loaded right from tipoff.
The Storm's offensive game started off strong in the first as multiple members added some points to the board to give them their fiery start against the Eagles. Veteran point guard Alexus Jones stroked two from behind the arc in under a minute to propel SNU forward in their 23-10 lead at the end of the first.
Last year's GAC MVP, Cassandra Awatt, was a force on all ends grabbing four rebounds that quarter while adding four points to the mix. GAC and SNU block record-holder, Abby Niehues, also made her usual mark with her early four points and three boards. New addition to the Storm, Lauryn Reither, meshed well with her new Crimson Storm squad as she added four points to SNU's hot start.
The second quarter was not any different as the Storm held the Eagles scoreless the first three minutes of play. Sophomore sharp-shooter Payton Jones and returning starter Kennedy Gillette each had successful trips to the free thrown line that quarter as they went 5-5 combined to contribute to SNU's controlling 41-17 lead at the half.
The Storm's commanding lead continued into the third as Storm notable Jaycee Soap, Awatt, and Gillette, swished in a total of four three's to send the Storm on a offensive frenzy as they outscored OKWU 29-19 that quarter taking the margin up to 70-29.
SNU's bench sealed the deal for the Storm in the final period as they dished out a total of 12 points that quarter leaving the Storm with a huge season opening victory to kick off the 2021-2022 season.
After an injury that kept her from suiting up last season, Storm senior Jaycee Soap returned to the court as if she never left. Soap put up 15 points and grabbed two steals and two rebounds to start her team off on the right foot. Awatt was a force to be reckoned with in SNU's season opener as she also secured 15 points with a team high of nine rebounds along with two assists and two steals.
Gillette was all over the map per usual as she made her season debut racking up 14 points, three rebounds, two assists, and two steals on the night. Niehues had a great showing with her six points, eight rebounds, two assists, and one block against the Eagles.
Alexus Jones returned to play with her six points and three assists while Emily Monaghan added six as well with five rebounds.
Payton Jones, Lauryn Reither, and Georgia Adams were also key members in SNU's offensive dominance while Kimalee Cook, Lexie Reihm, and Lillie Smith all added to the mix.
New freshman paint protector Anna Coccoli grabbed three rebounds in her debut with the Storm.
After earning their first victory this season, the Storm (1-0) look to continue this momentum as they welcome the University of Central Oklahoma to the Sawyer Center next Tuesday night with tipoff set for 5:30 p.m.
