ADA, OK - The Southern Nazarene Women's basketball team carried their momentum during this late-season stretch into Ada on Saturday as five Storm players were able to reach double-figures in the 77-69 win.
The East Central Tigers (8-6, 8-6 GAC) started the season blazing as they won eight of their first nine contests but have since hit a roadblock as they've dropped their last five games, including today. Southern Nazarene (8-5, 8-5 GAC) experienced the opposite as they started the season slow but have managed to hit their stride as the win over the ECU extends their win streak to six.
This matchup proved to be physical as 66 free-throws were attempted and 56 personal fouls were committed. The high dosage of fouls results in two ECU players finishing with five fouls and five SNU players committing four fouls apiece. Still, each club managed to shoot well as the Storm finished at a 47.4% field goal clip while the Tigers conclude at 42.9%.
A significant advantage of Southern Nazarene came from their bench as 23 points were compiled from the relief while East Central registered only 11. The Storm also out-rebounded the Tigers 34-28 while poking away more steals than ECU as well.
Freshman
Payton Jones continued her stellar season as she headed the Storm with 16 points, three steals, and three rebounds.
Emily Monaghan gave SNU the spark they needed as she produced 11 of her 13 total points in the first half. Monaghan would also bring down six rebounds and collected two steals on the day.
Senior
Alexus Jones had her most stat-worthy performances of the season as she compiled 10 points, shot 10-of-12 from the free-throw line, and brought down 11 rebounds. Jones' 11 rebounds grants her the second double-double of the Storm's season. Jones also dished out five assists and came away with two steals.
Abby Niehues would finish with a cool 11 points, shooting 4-of-4 from the field and three blocks.
Kennedy Gillette would be the last to finish in double figures as she finished with 10 points, three rebounds, and three assists.
Cassandra Awatt and
Georgia Adams would round things off for SNU as the two put up seven and nine points, respectively.
SNU came out flat as only three buckets were made in the first while East Central put in five and led 18-13 going into the second. The Storm revived from their shooting woes and erupted with 21 points in the second, shooting 66.7% from the field. This put Southern Nazarene ahead 34-31 going into the break. SNU would sing this same tune as they chalked up 22 and 21 points in final two quarters to hold off the feisty Tigers and give them a 77-69 win.
Southern Nazarene will return to action on Monday to travel to Shawnee for a matchup against the Oklahoma Baptist Bison (3-14, 2-13 GAC). Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 pm.
