Box Score (html)
BETHANY, Okla. – The No. 10-ranked Lady Bulldogs couldn't close out the schedule strong on Saturday following an 86-81 road loss to Southern Nazarene in their regular season finale. SWOSU trailed by 18 points at halftime and failed to erase the deficit despite getting within three points of the Crimson Storm in the fourth quarter.
SWOSU has now fallen in back-to-back Saturday contests and will finish the regular season 25-3 overall and 20-2 in the Great American Conference. Despite the loss, the GAC Champion Lady Dawgs will remain the No. 1 seed in the postseason tournament next week when they play in Bartlesville, Okla.
It was the first half that hurt the Lady Bulldogs on Saturday as SWOSU converted on just 9-for-28 (32%) shot attempts in the half. Meanwhile, Southern Nazarene came out firing after knocking down eight three-point shots in the game's first 20 minutes and shooting 53% overall from the field in the half. Heading into the locker room, the Dawgs found themselves down 18 points.
After the break, SWOSU came out energized and made a run at the large deficit by outscoring SNU by nine points in the third quarter – trailing by single digits (9) heading into the fourth quarter.
An and-one layup by
Hayden Priddy with 7:32 left in the game had the Bulldogs within four points and with all of the game's momentum, but the resilient Crimson Storm responded to push their lead back to double digits in the ensuing minutes.
SWOSU had one last run in them – an 8-0 surge to get within three points with 1:07 left to play – but Southern Nazarene was able to knock down foul shots to keep their lead intact and eventually held on down the stretch to earn the victory.
Priddy led the team in scoring on Saturday, tallying 28 points while adding four assists, three steals and two blocks.
Bethany Franks scored 16 points and grabbed nine rebounds and
Hailey Tucker rounded out SWOSU's double figure scorers with 14 points.
SWOSU finished right at 40% shooting as a squad thanks to solid second half efficiency while SNU continued strong shooting in the second half by finishing at 51% collectively from the field.
With the regular season officially finished, the Lady Bulldogs will now look to brush off their loss and focus on the GAC Tournament next week. SWOSU will take on a team to be determined (No. 8 seed) on Thursday, March 1 at 8 pm in the first round of the single elimination postseason tournament.
