SWOSU Women's Basketball, winners of their last two GAC contests, will open 2025 on Saturday, January 4 with a conference matchup against the Savage Storm of Southeastern Oklahoma State in the lone action of the week.

The Lady Bulldogs (6-5, 2-3 GAC) are coming off a tough non-conference loss against Missouri Southern to close out the fall semester. After three competitive quarters that had SWOSU leading by two going into the final frame, an offensive outburst by the Lions gave them a hard fought and low scoring 49-44 win. It was the lowest scoring game against the Lady Dawgs, but it was also the lowest offensive production for SWOSU this year.

The shooting for the Lady Dawgs is what was the culprit for the loss after they shot 33.3% from the field and 18.2% (4-22) from beyond the three-point line. MSSU was held to just 34.5% from the field, which was the second lowest percentage in a win for the Lions and the lowest percentage in a loss for the Dawgs.

Despite the setback, SWOSU still should feel good going into its matchup with Southeastern, having won their previous two conference games before Christmas Break. The Lady Dawgs began the year with three straight GAC losses before edging East Central and Oklahoma Baptist at home in the final seconds to close the semester out at 2-3 in conference. SWOSU defeated OBU on an Averi Zinn game winner as time expired in their last conference matchup – one of Zinn's two game winners on the week. It handed the Bison their first loss in conference this year.    

Against MSSU, Layni Zinn had 10 points for her sixth double digit scoring game of the year. Hailey Grant had 10 rebounds which was her season high and leads all Lady Dawgs with 4.5 rebounds per game. Averi Zinn had three steals in the game and now has two or more steals in 8 out of 11 games this year, ranking fifth in the conference at 2.0 steals per game.

Southeastern comes into the game with the same overall record as the Lady Dawgs at 6-5 but they have an extra win in conference play sitting at 3-2. Their losses came from Southern Nazarene and Oklahoma Baptist in overtime.

Both Southeastern and SWOSU rank amongst the bottom of the GAC in all rebounding statistics but make up for it by being two of the top three teams in turnover margin. SWOSU is first at a margin of +7 per game thanks to forcing over 20 turnovers a contest.

The Lady Bulldogs have a record of 8-2 in these teams' last 10 matchups and hold a 31-28 advantage in the all-time Division II series dating back to 1998. Coach Zinn will be looking to capture his first win in Durant. He's winless in two tries after falling 68-64 a year ago and 62-53 in 2022.