BETHANY, Okla. — After two games on the road to open the season, Southern Nazarene was welcomed back to the Sawyer Center Friday evening for an exhibition contest against Oklahoma Panhandle State, dominating the Aggies in triple-digits with a final 102-61 win.
With two losses under the belt to start the season, the Storm (0-2, 0-0 GAC) needed a momentum starter. Stepping onto Bobby Martin Court for the first time this season, SNU filled the stat sheet in every category, going 54% from the field, 40% from three, and 71% from the charity stripe to defeat the Aggies by 41 (0-4, 0-0 SAC). SNU's defense also shined as they collected 31 points off turnovers, powered by 13 total steals.
SNU was off to a hot start, with Georgia Adams, Emily Monaghan, and Cassandra Awatt running the offensive show as they helped the team to a 26-10 lead after the first quarter.
Hannah Giddey would open the second quarter with a layup and SNU's offense continued to cause OPSU damage. Payton Jones knocked down threes midway through the second to push SNU to a 41-13 lead. Buckets by Awatt, Monaghan, Lillie Smith, Lauryn Reither, and Anna Coccoli packed on more points, bringing SNU to a whopping 34-point lead at halftime.
Heading into the third quarter, Adams picked up speed, scoring seven points to put SNU above 64-28. SNU kept running up the score with multiple trips to the free throw line, earning them the 78-44 advantage with one final quarter left.
The last ten minutes featured the same game as SNU continued to control possession after possession. Buckets by Adams and Giddey would bump SNU to an 85-44 lead at the seven-minute mark. Kimalee Cook's splash from downtown would make it a 90-46 lead with just under four minutes remaining. Hannah Duncan and Carley Gasaway each chipped in some positive minutes, helping SNU to a 43-point lead with two minutes left.
Gasaway's free throws would cap off the scoring for SNU, leaving SNU victorious with a final score of 102-61 over the Aggies.
Adams kept her hot streak alive, leading the team with 16 points while adding in three steals and two assists. Jones was behind her with 12 points, two steals, and two assists, going 2-4 from the three-point line. Awatt also added in 12 to go along with her six rebounds.
Giddey was also all over the stat sheet, picking up six points, seven rebounds, five assists, and a steal. Kimalee Cook added 10 points, going 2-2 from the arc.
Smith tallied 11 points with one assist.
SNU will remain in Bethany for the following week as they welcome Arkansas Fort Smith for more non-conference action. SNU faces the Lions inside the Sawyer Center Wednesday, November 16th at 5:30 p.m.
