CLAREMORE, Okla. – SWOSU Women's Basketball forced 21 turnovers and outscored Northeastern State 17-8 in the third quarter en route to a 64-55 win over the RiverHawks in the season opener.
 
It was the third quarter that ultimately proved to be the difference maker in an otherwise tightly contested matchup. SWOSU and NSU traded seven-point advantages in the first and second quarters and were tied at 31-31 at halftime. After SWOSU's successful third quarter, both sides matched each other in scoring in the fourth quarter.
 
Seven of SWOSU's 21 forced turnovers came in the third quarter. They also limited NSU to 3-of-13 shooting and did not let the RiverHawks eclipse double-digit points in the quarter.
 
After a slow shooting start in the first quarter, SWOSU closed the game with three straight quarters at 40% or better. They also did not miss a free throw in the game at 9-of-9. Eight of those came in the second half.
 
Nine Lady Bulldogs scored in the game, led by three double-digit contributors: Averi Zinn with 13 points and Mason Jones & Layni Zinn with 11 apiece. Averi led the team with four assists, Jones racked up a team high four steals on defense and had eight of her 11 points come in the third quarter.     
 
SWOSU won the turnover battle 21-10, which allowed them buffer in the rebounding category. They were outrebounded 42-23 which included 13 RiverHawk offensive boards.
 
Game two of the season will come 24 hours after game one, as the Dawgs will face Rogers State on Saturday at 4:00 pm to wrap up the GAC/MIAA Crossover. The contest will feature a matchup between former colleagues as RSU's head coach Heather Davis spent one year as Coach Zinn's assistant during the 2022-23 season.