MONTICELLO Ark.—The winning streak has now reached five games for the Southern Nazarene University men's basketball team as the Crimson Storm survived with a 53-48 win over Arkansas-Monticello on Thursday night.
It has been an incredible run for the Crimson Storm (9-5, 4-4 GAC) who have overcome an 0-4 start in conference play to get back to .500 in the blink of an eye. The win over Monticello (8-6, 4-4 GAC) also moves the Storm into 6th place in the Great American Conference as they continue to ascend up the standings.
The Storm took complete control early in the first half. They completely shut down the Weevils and limited them to just 14 first half points. It was the Adokiye Iyaye and Tyler McGhie show on the offensive end as the explosive duo nearly doubled Monticello up on their own with 27 first half points. The two average a combined 35 points per game.
The second half did not come as easy for the Crimson Storm as a late surge from the Weevils cut a once 18 point deficit all the way down to just three points. Monticello had their chance to tie the game and got off a clean look from deep with under a minute to go, but it would clank off the side of the rim and SNU was able to regain a two-possession lead at the free throw line before closing out the Weevils 53-48.
The winning streak will continue to be put to the test on Saturday as the Arkansas grind continues for the Crimson Storm as they head back west for a meeting with Southern Arkansas. Following Saturday's contest, SNU will finally round out the four game road trip on Monday at Henderson State for a remake of the Jan. 1 postponement. Tipoff with Southern Arkansas is set for 3:00 p.m. following the women's game. The Storm have won seven of the last eight over the Muleriders.
