DURANT, Okla. — Southern Nazarene did not get the results they had hoped for in their first contest of Great American Conference action, falling 71-86 to Southeastern Oklahoma State in Durant on Saturday. 

The Crimson Storm (3-2,0-1 GAC) and Savage Storm (5-4,1-0 GAC) matchup is always an anticipated meeting as both squads have nearly split the wins and losses prior to this game, with SNU recording 14 victories to SE's 12. Southeastern's 15 total three balls was the key difference maker in their win over SNU, scoring more than half of their points from three-pointers alone. Southeastern gained a lead early and never allowed SNU close in score from eight minutes left in the first and half until the final buzzer. 

The Crimson Storm put up the first two points in the first half off of back-to-back Cam Slaymaker free throws, and had an answer for every Savage Storm bucket within the first nine minutes of the ballgame. The teams were tied at 15 all after the traded long balls, but Southeastern OSU fought to pull away from the nine minute marker, exploding for a 15-0 run that lasted over four minutes of play. Jonas Visser helped to stop the bleeding with his jumper in the paint, cutting the deficit down to 10 points at 27-17 with a little over five minutes left in the first half. 

The Savage Storm continued to bury the long shots, but Southern Nazarene was quick to respond, using buckets from Visser, Jaxon Edelmayer, and more Slaymaker free throws to cut the gap to seven points with three minutes remaining in the first half. The Crimson Storm did a good job containing the hot SE offense in the final moments, attacking the Savage Storm defense to grab more free throws and easy lay ups, but SE still controlled the 12-point lead heading into halftime. 

The Savage Storm knocked down six three-pointers that half, but SNU brought in 10-made free throws to SE's three. 

The Savage Storm were able to extend their lead to 16 after two more made threes early in the second half, but the Crimson Storm continued their attack game and put up a quick 5-0 run to help bring the gap back down to 11. Southeastern responded with their own run of seven points and they skyrocketed to an 18-point lead, just before Tyrell Coleman layed one in to silence the crowd. 

Southeastern OSU continued to be lights-out from behind the arc, burying two more back-to-back threes to hold their largest lead of the game at 22 points. The Crimson Storm worked fast on offense in the next few possessions, with Keeshawn Mason leading the way with seven quick points of his own, helping the Storm come within 16 points of SE. The blue and gold took no time to extend their lead once more, knocking down two more quick three pointers for the 72-53 lead. 

Southeastern OSU never stepped off the gas in the remaining few minutes, answering every Crimson Storm bucket with one of their own to keep an SNU comeback out of sight. Southern Nazarene continued to attack the Savage Storm to be awarded more free throws and easy lay-ins, but the hot shooting from the Savage Storm sealed SNU's fate. Southeastern was able to sneak in one more three for the last score of the game from either team and SE went on to win it 86-71. 

SNU had three members in double-figure scoring with Mason leading the way with 19 points and nine boards. Slaymaker followed with 15 points, going 8-10 from the free throw line, and Benno Zecic added in 14 points to go along with three steals. 

Up Next

Southern Nazarene will remain on the road for their second GAC contest, traveling to Ada, OK to match up with East Central on Saturday, December 2nd at 3:00 p.m. The Crimson Storm have won the last three matchups with the Tigers, contributing to their overall 14 wins to ECU's 11 in series history.