RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – SWOSU Women's Basketball used their defense to force 22 turnovers and capitalize on the mistakes, outscoring the Golden Suns 30-3 in points off turnovers, to secure a much-needed 66-51 win.

The Lady Dawgs started strong, building an 11-2 lead after just five minutes. Lanie Gooch, who earned the starting nod, scored five points in the first frame to help SWOSU take a 16-11 lead after one.

In the second quarter, SWOSU's defense created a gap in the scoreboard, forcing 11 turnovers that converted into 19 first-half points. Libbi Zinn scored nine points in the quarter, going 4-4 from the field and knocking down a deep three. The Lady Dawgs took a 10-point lead, 32-22, before ATU trimmed the margin to 32-24 at halftime.

In the second half, the Lady Dawgs maintained their lead. After ATU cut the margin to three points, SWOSU rebuilt a 10-point lead by the end of the third quarter and didn't let up in the fourth. Back-to-back and-one buckets from Averi Zinn and Hailey Grant sealed the win, 66-51.

This marks the sixth time SWOSU has had a 10+ difference in turnovers, with the Lady Dawgs now 4-2 in those games.

SWOSU shot 26-63 (41%) from the field and 8-27 (30%) from three-point range, while ATU shot 18-39 (46%) and 4-12 (33%) from deep. The 24-shot difference between the two teams was the largest gap of the year, thanks to SWOSU's 22 forced turnovers and just seven committed.

Averi Zinn led the team with 16 points on 6-12 shooting and seven rebounds, a season high. Lanie Gooch added 14 points, also a season high. Libbi Zinn and Mason Jones each dished out four assists, a season high.

SWOSU (10-9, 6-7 GAC) will face league-leading Harding on Saturday, Feb. 1, at 1:00 pm to close out the current four-game road trip.