LUBBOCK, Texas — It was a fight to the finish, but the Southern Nazarene Women's Basketball team overcame a back-and-forth contest to take care of St. Marys in their 70-56 victory.
After two home wins to start the season, the Storm (3-0) extended that record as they grabbed another win, but this time, on their first road trip of the season over in Lubbock, Texas.
Back in 2019, the Storm fell to the Rattlers at the Arbor Hotels Classic as St. Mary's was deadly from behind the arc shooting 50% that afternoon. Heading into today's matchup, the Storm had a bone to pick with the Rattlers and ended up giving them a taste of their own medicine as SNU shot 45 percent from the field and had a dominating fourth quarter that sealed the deal.
The Storm posted a great first half showing shooting 42.3 percent from the field and knocking down all but one of their free throws. They struggled from deep only getting two of their seven three point attempts to fall; whereas, the Rattlers were seeing success behind the arc shooting just above 41 percent (5-12). This exchange kept it close leaving St. Mary's to trail by only one at the half.
The small lead margin slowly started to diminish as the Storm picked up the pace and outscored the Rattlers 20-14 in the third quarter. Kickstarting the Storm's offense this period, Cassandra Awatt registered seven points and grabbed two rebounds while Emily Monaghan picked up four quick points and dished out two assists .
It was only up from here for the Crimson Storm as they brought in there commanding defense in the final quarter along with two and-one's, courtesy of Emily Monghan, to move their lead to 15. With a couple of dump-ins by Niehues and a collection of made free-throws by Jaycee Soap and Monghan, the Storm ended game one of their Lubbock journey on top.
Monaghan was a major energizer for the Storm recording 14 points, three assists, and three steals knocking down three of her seven field goal attempts and four of her six free throws.
Awatt had another double-figure game securing 11 points, six rebounds, and three steals.
Niehues was a force from the paint per usual tallying 10 points along with six rebounds, three blocks, and two assists.
Kennedy Gillette and Jaycee Soap each chipped in nine points while Soap had four steals and Gillette grabbed four rebounds that afternoon.
The Storm suit up again Saturday afternoon as they face Angelo State to conclude their Lubbock trek before they head out to Alaska for another non-conference tournament. Tipoff with the Rams is set for 3 p.m.
