EDMOND, Okla. — Southern Nazarene could not be stopped Saturday afternoon as a collective effort on offense and defense earned them their third straight win over Central Oklahoma with a final score of 85-64.
Powered by a 47% shooting clip, 51 rebounds, and 22 points off turnovers, the Storm (3-3, 0-0 GAC) took control of the contest and never looked back. The Broncos (3-1, 0-0 MIAA) dug themselves a hole in the first quarter, only hitting four of their 19 field goals, which set them back double digits from then on.
Southern Nazarene jumped in front early with Cassandra Awatt leading the attack as her 12-point opening quarter gave the Storm the 14 point-lead at 21-8.
Payton Jones' two free throws would continue SNU's push to open the second quarter, followed by a few buckets from Awatt, Georgia Adams, and Hannah Giddey to keep the Storm far away from the Bronchos. SNU's defense limited UCO from a lot of opportunities to try and cut the lead, powered by three steals and a plethora of defensive rebounds. The Storm finished the first half up by 20 over UCO at 41-21.
The Bronchos made some adjustments to start the second half, bringing the game within 10 with three minutes left in the third quarter. A Lauryn Reither three-ball would kickstart the Storm's offense and SNU was back up 17 with under a minute left. UCO got a bucket to fall in the last five seconds, making it a 15-point game before the final quarter.
SNU's Emily Monaghan and Giddey came out firing with a combined six points to start the fourth quarter, putting the Storm back up by 19. Two minutes passed without a single point scored, but Giddey broke the silence with a lay-in to give SNU the 20-point lead with six minutes remaining. The Bronchos continued to fight, but SNU's lead was far out of reach and they finished the game with a final 85-64 win in Edmond.
Awatt stuffed the stat sheet for SNU, scoring 27 points to go along with 14 rebounds, four assists, and three steals.
Giddey also road the double-double train, scoring 18 and grabbing 14 boards. She also had three assists and five blocks.
Reither stepped up big off the bench, scoring 10 points to go along with four assists and two steals. Adams was also all over the map, scoring eight with five boards, five assists, and two steals.
Monaghan added seven points, three rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and three steals. Jones finished with eight points, three rebounds, an assist, and one block.
This marks SNU's last non-conference game as they will begin GAC play Wednesday, November 30th against Southeastern Oklahoma State. Game time is at 5:30 p.m.
