BETHANY - The Southern Nazarene Women's basketball team had fallen victim to the Southwestern Oklahoma State Bulldogs far too many times as SNU hadn't beaten SWOSU since the 2018 season. Tonight was a different story as a resilient Crimson Storm flipped the page on history and beat the no. 15 ranked Bulldogs 73-63. With an amazing 26 point fourth quarter, the Crimson Storm were able to get their fourth straight win.
SNU (6-5, 6-5 GAC) played outstanding defensively as they held SWOSU (11-2,11-2 GAC) to a 32 percent shooting clip on the night. The Crimson Storm also held the rebound advantage as they collected a total of 51 rebounds, compared to just 35 from the Bulldogs.
Probably the most staggering statistic of the night was Southern Nazarene's dominance down low as the Storm had 22 more points in the paint than Southwestern.
Senior
Kennedy Gillette played her largest role this year as she collected her second double-double of the season. Gillette finished with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists. Freshman
Payton Jones had another excellent game as she scored 18 points and brought down five rebounds.
Abby Niehues continued her brilliant play as she put together 14 points, snagged seven boards, and blocked six shots in this contest. Niehues has been stingy around the basket as she has denied 24 shots in Storm's last four matchups.
Cassandra Awatt and
Alexus Jones had most of their influence in the categories that didn't involve putting the ball in the basket. Awatt hustled her way to a season-high 12 rebounds while registering seven points. Jones would dish out five assists, strip three balls, and bring down seven rebounds on her way to eight total points.
The first quarter was back and forth as there were seven lead changes in this quarter alone. SNU would limit the Bulldogs to 6-of-20 from the field. However, the Crimson Storm played loosely with the ball as they coughed up seven turnovers. Still, Southern Nazarene was ahead 18-16 going into the second.
The second quarter was much like the first as there were a total of ten lead changes in the quarter alone.
Abby Niehues would lead her team in the first half as she compiled six points, blocked three shots, and collected a steal as well. SNU would trail the Bulldogs 31-29 going into the break.
Southern Nazarene sat behind Southwestern 49-47 going into the last quarter of play.
Payton Jones would hit a monstrous three pointer to take a four point 56-52 lead over the Bulldogs with seven minutes left to go in the game.
Kennedy Gillette and Niehues were huge in the final minutes as Gillette would hit a triple and Niehues would make two crucial blocks. The Crimson Storm would eventually cruise their way to a 73-63 win, their fourth straight.
The Crimson Storm return to the court this Saturday as they travel to Durant to battle the Southeastern Oklahoma State Savage Storm (8-6, 8-6 GAC). Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 pm.
