BETHANY, Okla. — The battery was recharged for the Southern Nazarene Women's Basketball team Saturday afternoon as their improved shooting and defensive clinic propelled them to take the 66-51 victory over Harding inside the Sawyer Center.
Another Arkansas squad they have not seen in close to two-years, Southern Nazarene was challenged with picking up where they left off two seasons ago. Struggling from the field in their last contest against Arkansas Tech, the Storm (8-5, 3-3 GAC) flipped the switch and went 43 percent from outside while knocking down 14 of their 27 free throw attempts on the afternoon.
Harding faced a tenacious Storm defense throughout the contest as the Lady Bisons (8-5, 3-2) were held to just 51 points, the lowest they have scored this season. Securing 42 rebounds and 13 steals that game, the Storm revived their defensive energy and handed Harding their second conference defeat of the year.
SNU went back and forth with the Bisons for most of the first quarter. After trying their hand at the three ball and getting a couple of lay-ins to go, the Storm led by just two (16-14) at the end of the period. Junior guard Emily Monghan was ahead of the fleet, grabbing nine that quarter and setting the tone the rest of the way through.
The Storm defense started to pick up pace within the second as Harding only put up four points that quarter with two resulting from a field goal and the others off of a pair of free throws. Leaving Harding scoreless for seven straight minutes, the Storm went into halftime up nine at 27-18 over the Lady Bisons.
Out of the break, Harding broke their cold spell and scored five just two minutes into the third. Getting the whistle to blow in their favor, the Storm drew Harding center Sage Hawley's fourth foul which sent her to the bench, leaving the lane full of opportunities for the Storm offense.
Chipping away at a Bisons comeback, veteran guard Kennedy Gillette kept the defense alive as her three third quarter steals resulted in key buckets and trips to the charity stripe. Storm center Abby Niehues dominated the paint, picking up a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds to close out the third and the Storm were up 43-33 going into the fourth.
Troubled with fouls just two minutes into the final 10 minutes, the Storm maintained their offensive intensity, achieving their largest lead of the contest halfway through the period (55-37). Harding was unable to gain any momentum to help close the gap, and SNU snapped their two-game losing streak with a double-digit victory over the Bisons.
Niehues brushed off the previous contest with ease as she dominated the glass all afternoon, achieving a career-high 15 rebounds and scoring 18 to go along with three blocked shots and three steals.
Monaghan was another force to reckon with as she secured 13 points, five rebounds, and three assists on the afternoon.
Gillette caused Harding problems all game long as she came away with a game-high four steals and tallied 10 points and eight rebounds. Jaycee Soap was welcomed back to play and finished with 10 points as well to go along with three rebounds.
Storm rival Oklahoma Baptist comes to town Thursday evening, January 13th as SNU host the other Bison for another conference matchup at home. Tip off is set for 5:30 p.m.
