Box Score BETHANY, Okla. - The Crimson Storm returned to their home court to take on historical powerhouse Lubbock Christian for an afternoon matchup. The Storm offense controlled most of the game coming out on top in their final non-conference matchup, 67-64.

The Storm (6-0, 0-0 GAC) met the Chaps (5-2, 0-0 LSC) for the first time since the 2019 season. The Chaps have historically been one of the top programs in Division II Women's Basketball, winning the NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Championship in 2016, 2019, and 2021. The successful resume did not waiver SNU as they collected their first win against the Chaps since 2012.

Lauryn Reither set the tone early for the Storm opening the game with a made three-pointer. The Chaps responded with a made jumper and Hannah Giddey put up a quick four points for the Storm in the paint. Grace Foster found herself at the line for the Chaps, cutting the SNU lead to one before Reither responded with a jumper of her own. Giddey added another jumper to give Southern Nazarene an 11-6 lead. LCU scored two quick buckets, but Hannah Duncan answered with a three to shut down the Chaps' momentum. Two Lubbock Christian jumpers cut the Storm lead to 14-13 to end the first quarter. 

Reither continued to spark the Crimson Storm offense with four quick points to start the quarter. The Chaps continued to respond until a Shannon Burton jumper stretched the Storm lead, 15-20. Foster continued to lead the LCU offense and responded with a three cutting the deficit to two points. A SNU turnover led to an easy layup for Lubbock Christian, tying up the score 20 all. Abbie Jiles hit a jumper to grab the lead back for SNU before a media timeout. Reither continued to shoot the ball well, hitting her second and third three-pointers of the game to give SNU a lead of 28-20. The Caps tried to respond, but it was not enough to catch the fast-paced SNU offense. Emily Monaghan hit a last-minute jumper to give SNU the lead 30-24 going into halftime.

Emily Monaghan sparked the Storm to begin the second half. She hit a jumper out of the break and then responded to an LCU jumper with a three of her own. Foster continued to shoot the ball well for Lubbock Chrisitan burying a three to cut the SNU lead to 35-29. Monaghan continued her scoring spree with a made layup, jumper, and free throw to put the Storm ahead by 11 points. Reither chimed back in with a jumper before a media timeout was called. Giddey and Reither continued their work in the paint giving Southern Nazarene a 51-35 lead before LCU Head Coach, Steve Gomez, called a timeout. The Chaps scored quickly out of the break, but Duncan responded with her second triple of the game. Two made free throws and a three-pointer cut the Storm lead to 54-42 to end the third quarter.

Giddey kept at it in the paint scoring six points to open the quarter. LCU continued to respond, trailing the Storm 60-49. A Foster three sparked the Chaps' offensive burst, cutting the SNU lead to 60-57. Jena Bay found a groove and sank a three-pointer to gain back some momentum for the Crimson Storm. Shaylee Stovall responded with a three of her own to cut the deficit to three. An LCU layup cut the Storm lead to one leading to a Lubbock Christian timeout. Giddey hit a quick jumper and Maci Maddox responded with her own jumper leading Head Coach Trent May to call a timeout. LCU fouled Monaghan bringing her to the free throw line where she drilled two shots to give the Crimson Storm the final lead of 67-64. 

Lauryn Reither continued to lead the offense scoring 21 points while collecting six assists. Hannah Giddey remained tough in the paint collecting 16 points of her own and seven boards. Emily Monaghan was a force on both ends, tallying 14 points and six rebounds.

Next Up

The Storm will travel to open up GAC play at Southeastern Oklahoma State. SNU is set to tip off at 5:30 in Durant, Oklahoma.