OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - In the midst of a hectic week that involved severe winter storms, SNU had to make a change of locations to face-off against NWOSU after a pipe inside the Sawyer Center leaked, preventing the team from hosting their matchup against the Rangers.
Southern Nazarene (7-5, 7-5 GAC) came into today's matchup with two things on the agenda, to extend their winning-streak and for Senior
Abby Niehues to set the all-time block record in school history. Both of these tasks were accomplished as the Crimson Storm fought to a 62-54 win over the Rangers (5-10, 3-10 GAC) inside the Eagles Nest, home of the Oklahoma Christian Eagles, on Thursday evening.
Niehues broke a 29 year-old school record, set by NAIA All-American Katrina Springer. Springer had quite the career as she was a two-time NAIA All-American, SAC Freshman of the Year, 90'-91' Co-Player of the Year, and was apart of 1989 NAIA National Championship team at SNU. However, the praise today belongs to
Abby Niehues who also broke the all-time GAC block record earlier this month.
The Crimson Storm struggled to shoot the entire evening as they finished the game at 32.8% shooting clip, slightly lower than the 35.2% the Rangers managed to post. Both clubs were comparable in stats as the only clear advantage was the margin of 42-33 SNU held in rebounds. Each team would also commit 18 turnovers.
In the first, it was a defensive battle as SNU held NWOSU to just 26.7% shooting as the Storm posted a 33.3% field-goal clip. Still, Southern Nazarene led 17-10 going into the second. The Rangers lit a fire in their bellies as they shot 55.6% from the field in the second and compiled 13 points. SNU was able to combat this as they also put up 13 points, having the score read 30-29 going into the break.
Freshman
Payton Jones led the way for the Storm as she finished with 17 points, two steals, and a couple assists. Jones struggled shooting on the evening as nine of her points came from the free throw lines while she finished 3-of-11 from the field.
Kennedy Gillette followed closed behind with 14 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
Alexus Jones would add nine points, six rebounds, and four assists as well.
Sophmore
Cassandra Awatt posted a seven point, one steal performance while
Emily Monaghan would come off the bench and contribute five points, six rebounds, and a steal.
Abby Niehues rounded things off with three points to go along with her six blocks to eclipse the all-time record.
The contest would stay tight through the second half despite a 16-point third quarter from NWOSU. The Crimson Storm would shut the door on the pesky Rangers and score 20 points to close out the game and extend their winning streak to five.
Southern Nazarene will make a quick turnaround and travel down to Ada on Saturday to play against the East Central Tigers (8-5, 8-5 GAC). Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 pm.
