BETHANY, Okla. — To open conference play, Southern Nazarene defeated Southeastern Oklahoma State 68-61 inside the Sawyer Center, largely led by senior guard Georgia Adams who exploded for 33 points in the win.
The Crimson Storm (4-3, 1-0 GAC) went into their first conference matchup with two straight wins, looking to make it three as they hosted cross-state rival Southeastern Oklahoma State inside the Sawyer Center Wednesday evening. The Savage Storm (2-4, 0-1 GAC) gave SNU a scare late in the fourth quarter as they rallied back late to bring the game within three with just seconds left. Southern Nazarene held up defensively in those final seconds, putting the game away with a couple of key makes behind the charity stripe.
SNU put together a huge opening quarter, powered by Georgia Adams who scored the first five for the Crimson Storm. Two back-to-back threes by Adams and Payton Jones gave SNU the 11-7 lead midway through the first quarter. Adams took over from there, hitting the next couple of buckets and a few free throws to push SNU to a 22-7 start. Adams finished with 15 points that quarter.
SNU went through a cold spell for the first four minutes of the second quarter, allowing the Savage Storm to creep back within three points at 22-19. Hannah Giddey's back-to-back layups got SNU back on track, followed by more scores from Adams who brought the Crimson Storm back to a 12-point lead with two minutes remaining. A lay-in from Jones finished the scoring off for both sides and Southern Nazarene headed into the break with a 10-point lead over SEOSU.
The Savage Storm kicked off the second half with a few layups to help cut the deficit. Buckets by Adams, Giddey, and Cassandra Awatt helped SNU to a 15-point lead with six minutes remaining in the third quarter. Shots continued to fall for SNU in the time remaining, and they headed into the final quarter with a comfortable 53-39 advantage.
The Savage Storm made things interesting in the final 10 minutes, answering every Storm bucket that came their way. Midway through the fourth, Southeastern brought the game within nine after a few crafty buckets from Briley Moon and Lauren Beason. Foul troubles would plague the Storm in the final few minutes as Giddey was sent to the bench after picking up her fifth. With under a minute remaining, Caitlyn Kobiske's layup put SEOSU within three points, allowing the Savage Storm to take a timeout and catch their breath.
With 22 seconds remaining, Awatt picked up her fifth foul, and SNU took a timeout to devise a plan to keep the Savage Storm from closing the three-point gap. SESOU searched for the game-winning shot in the last possession, but a traveling violation would put the ball back with SNU. The forced SEOSU foul on Payton Jones gave SNU a bit of cushion in the final stretch as she knocked down two free throws with 18 seconds left on the clock, putting the Storm up 66-61. Another forced foul by the Savage Storm allowed Emily Monaghan a trip to the line, and her two free throws secured the final 68-61 win over Southeastern.
Adams lit up the Sawyer Center, doubling her career high in points as she eclipsed the 30-point marker with 33 points, also finishing with four rebounds and an assist. Adams was also lights out from the three-point line, knocking down four of her six attempts.
Awatt finished with nine points and a team-high nine rebounds. Awatt also achieved five assists and grabbed two steals. Jones also finished with nine points, pulling down four boards and tallying one block. Emily Monaghan was the other nine-point scorer, also grabbing two rebounds, an assist, and a steal.
Hannah Giddey added eight points with five boards, four assists, and two blocks. Reither led the defensive energy, grabbing five boards, and tallying five assists and two steals.
SNU will see their first conference road game Saturday, December 3rd as they head to East Central University to take on the Tigers for a 1:00 pm tip time.
