BETHANY, Okla.- Southern Nazarene closed out their home schedule with a 45-40 win over Northwestern Oklahoma State on Senior Night, securing at least a share of the conference title. 

The Rangers (13-14,10-11 GAC) came out scoring the first bucket of the game, but Southern Nazarene (21-6, 18-3 GAC)  didn't waste any time answering. Carley Gasaway and Hannah Duncan got things rolling with back to back layups, and Hannah Giddey knocked down two free throws. 

The first quarter came to a close when Umi Otsuka drained a three with just eight seconds left, giving the Crimson Storm an 11-10 lead going into the second quarter. 

The Rangers opened the second quarter with another quick score. Braci Nyberg responded with a layup off an Otsuka assist, followed by a fastbreak layup from Giddey. Gasaway added two free throws, but Northwestern Oklahoma State controlled the rest of the quarter and went into halftime up 22-17.

In the third quarter, Katie King hit a jumper before assisting on a Giddey layup. Gasaway and Jillian Crawford followed, knocking down back to back threes. Gasaway then hit another three to put Southern Nazarene back in front 32-30 heading into the fourth quarter. 

Giddey continued to dominate the boards, finishing with a career high 19 rebounds, while adding another bucket to her stat line. Otsuka hit two more threes, Crawford added a layup, and Gasaway sealed the win with free throws to earn the 45-40 victory over NWOSU.

With the win, SNU secured at least a share of the GAC Regular Season Championship. A win on Saturday at Southwestern Oklahoma State would make them the outright champions.

Next Up
The Crimson Storm will travel to Weatherford, Oklahoma to take on Southwestern Oklahoma State University Saturday, March, 1 at 1:00 pm.