BETHANY, Okla. — Southern Nazarene experienced multiple celebratory moments Thursday evening, with the best being another double-digit win inside the Sawyer Center as they defeated Arkansas-Monticello 59-46.
In honor of National Australia Day, The Storm (14-4, 11-1 GAC) celebrated their four Aussies well, defeating the Blossoms (7-11, 4-8 GAC) by double digits on the SNU home court. Powered by 25 defensive rebounds and 24 points off turnovers, SNU took charge and earned themselves a solid victory, making that 14 total victories on the season.
To start the game, SNU forced a low shooting affair on UAM as the Blossoms made just three out of their 14 field goal attempts. SNU's five of 12 shooting helped to build a 12-9 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Monticello tied it at 12 a piece two minutes into the second quarter with a long three ball. They continued the pace midway through the second to take their first lead of the game at 16-15. Not much scoring came from either squad this quarter, until Georgia Adams long ball helped bring some life back into SNU and the Storm hit a couple of key buckets in the last few minutes of the quarter, bringing them to a 27-21 lead at halftime.
Out of the break, SNU held UAM to just 1-9 from the field through the first five minutes. The Storm were able to capitalize on offense through those first five, hitting their biggest lead of the game at 33-23.
SNU's 10-point lead quickly increased after forcing a few UAM turnovers and turning them into some solid points on the other end. At the end of the third, the Storm held a 45-29 lead, outscoring the Blossoms 18-8 in the quarter.
SNU kept the pace and reached a 20-point lead three minutes into the fourth. Monticello challenged the lead with an 8-0 run in the next few minutes, cutting SNU's lead back down to 12 at 51-39.
The Storm quickly put an end to the UAM momentum and took care of business the rest of the way, knocking down a few free throws and final-minute buckets to the end the game victorious with a final score of 59-46.
Adams led in scoring with 14 followed by three boards.
Cassandra Awatt filled the stat sheet, scoring 12 points and ripping down eight boards. The senior also had five steals and three assists.
Hannah Giddey finished with 10 points to go along with five assists and three blocks.
With Harding losing to Northwestern Oklahoma State, Southern Nazarene now sits alone at the top of the conference. Looking to stay there, the Storm will host Southern Arkansas Saturday, January 28th at 1:00 p.m.
