RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. — An absolute thriller took place in Russellville, Arkansas Thursday evening after a back-and-forth contest between Southern Nazarene and Arkansas Tech was sent into overtime, where SNU claimed the 77-70 victory.
Trailing by most of the first half, the Storm (10-3, 7-0 GAC) quickly turned on the jets in the second half, using a 15-0 run in the third quarter to battle back. Tech reclaimed the lead in the fourth, but last-second free throws by the Storm sent the game into an extra period. Causing foul troubles for the Golden Suns in the extra minutes, SNU took care of business at the charity stripe, knocking down four with 16 seconds left to defeat Tech by seven.
SNU outshot ATU 42% to 38% and out-rebounded the Golden Suns by 22.
ATU jumped on top early, getting ahead of SNU 17-12 after the first quarter. Arkansas Tech kept that same momentum in the second quarter, piling on 11 more points before SNU could score a bucket. Cassandra Awatt and Georgia Adams took control from there, hitting shot after shot to cut the deficit. Adams splashed three threes that quarter, helping SNU back to within 32-26 at the half.
Adams opened the quarter with five more points followed by two Lauryn Reither free throws and a three to put SNU ahead by four. This ignited a 15-0 scoring run by SNU, leaving Tech behind nine midway through the quarter. The Golden Suns battled back the rest of the way, cutting the deficit down to four at 51-47.
Tech started the fourth quarter with a 7-0 run to reclaim the lead. SNU continued to battle back, bringing the game within three with under two minutes remaining. With 37 seconds on the clock, Emily Monaghan was fouled in shooting motion, knocking down the bucket and the free throw to tie the ballgame at 67 all.
Awatt stole the ball on Tech's final possession and SNU was given the last opportunity to seal the victory in regulation. SNU had a good look down low to win by two, but the bucket was no good, sending the game to overtime.
Tech got into foul trouble in the extra time, awarding SNU multiple trips to the charity stripe. Leading by three with under two minutes remaining, Awatt knocked down a pair of free throws to put SNU up by five with 16 seconds left. A missed three by Tech gave SNU some breathing room and Tech was then forced to foul, giving Reither two more free throws to put SNU up by seven with nine seconds left. Tech had another chance at a three, but it was off the mark and SNU was crowned the 77-70 win.
Adams returned to play in fashion, scoring 27 points, bringing down nine boards, and picking up two steals.
Monaghan tallied her first double-double of the year, scoring 16 and tallying 10 rebounds. She also had three assists.
Awatt also finished in double digits, scoring 14 and bringing down a team-high 15 boards. She also grabbed three assists and two steals.
Reither also had a great game off the bench, scoring 13 points to go along with two boards and two assists.
Hannah Giddey finished with six points, seven boards, three assists, and two blocks.
SNU will remain in Arkansas for another big matchup, taking on Harding Saturday, January 14th at 1:00 p.m. The Bisons are 6-1 in the conference, recently beating GAC-leader Oklahoma Baptist by 14.
