WEATHERFORD – SWOSU Women's Basketball surrendered a combined 12 points in the first and third quarters and defeated Southern Arkansas 55-47 at home in the process on Thursday night.

The 47 points is SWOSU's lowest number allowed through 15 games this season. They limited SAU to 34.5% shooting – tied for second lowest for a Lady Bulldog opponent this season.

SWOSU led by as many as 16 points past the midway point of the fourth quarter, which came after a tied 20-20 score at halftime. A 20-6 third quarter in favor of the Lady Dawgs opened the game back up, and a strong start to the fourth did enough to keep the Muleriders away for good despite the visitors outscoring SWOSU in the final frame thanks to late scoring.

Mason Jones led the team in scoring with 14 points and she grabbed a career high eight rebounds with three steals and three assists. Averi Zinn added 10 points as SWOSU's other double-digit scorer. Chloe Cantrell missed a double-double by a bucket and a rebound, finishing with eight points and a season high nine rebounds.

SWOSU forced 20 turnovers for the eighth time this season but committed 17 of their own.

The defensive effort masked a below average shooting night. SWOSU finished right at 30% shooting from the field overall, but did knock down 6-of-17 (35%) from beyond the arc. A big culprit for the final numbers was the second quarter that saw the Lady Dawgs go without a field goal for the duration of the quarter and finish with just two points. At the time, it allowed SAU to erase an early deficit and take the game into halftime knotted up at 20.

Following the win, SWOSU moves to 8-7 overall and to 4-5 in the GAC. They'll take on Arkansas-Monticello at 1:00 pm on Saturday looking to complete a perfect week at home.