DURANT, Okla. — With their first appearance back inside the Bloomer Sullivan Arena since they earned their first ever GAC Tournament Championship title, the Southern Nazarene Women's Basketball team was returned that favor as Southeastern Oklahoma State handed them their first conference defeat this season.

The visit back to Durant since their historic championship victory was not so sweet as the Storm (6-3, 1-1 GAC) struggled to combat Southeastern's (3-5, 1-1 GAC) hot shooting at home as the Savage Storm shot just over 55% from the field and went 3-6 from deep.

Just over a minute after the opening tip, Cassandra Awatt hit a jumper from the outside to kick off the start of the contest. That was the last time SNU gained a lead as Southeastern began their tenure ending the quarter with a 13-7 lead.

Beginning the second quarter 0-4 from behind the arc and only shooting just over 14% from the field, Awatt channeled some energy for the Storm as she picked up seven points midway through the period to help cut Southeastern's lead back down to four. At the half, the Savage Storm were able to creep back up to extend their gap to 10 (30-20).

Known for cleaning things up after the half, SNU comes out with a chip on their shoulder as Alexus Jones began the third sinking two free throws to start things off. Only 1-7 from downtown in the first half, Jaycee Soap drains one from deep to bring the Storm back within five just one minute in.

Leading the defensive effort, Jones grabbed a couple of steals midway through the third to help halt Southeastern's run. Kennedy Gillette added to the come up as she picked up four quick points to keep the gap at five. Outscoring the Savage Storm 16-13 in the third, SNU stayed within reach just trailing by seven going into the final quarter.

SNU struggled to see the ball pass through the net except for getting a couple of free throws to drop in. Going 0-7 from the outside for almost the entire quarter, Southeastern was able to capitalize extending their lead up to 15 before the benches were cleared for substitution in the final two minutes.

A three pointer by Lillie Smith and a lay-in by Lexie Reihm added to the ending battle, but the Savage Storm's 63% field goal percentage kept the Storm out of reach and the final score read 58-45 in favor of Southeastern.

Awatt led the Storm in shooting as she picked up double figures with 11 along with two rebounds, two assists, and steal.

Abby Niehues was just shy of a double-double securing eight points and rebounds along with a block and a steal.

Gillette's shots struggled to roll in as she only tallied single digit scoring with seven but worked on the defensive end grabbing five rebounds and a steal.

Jaycee Soap had trouble seeing any offensive opportunities coming away with just five points but adding a block and a steal to the stat sheet.

The Storm will see a seven-day break before suiting up again at home to host Northwestern Oklahoma State next Saturday, December 11th at 1:00 p.m.