MAGNOLIA, Ark. – The Lady Bulldogs secured their spot in the GAC Tournament with a 64-56 win over Southern Arkansas on Sunday, sweeping the season series between the two teams in the process.

SWOSU (15-11, 11-9 GAC) has won five of its last six games heading into the final week of the regular season. They will face East Central in Ada on Thursday, Feb. 27, at 5:30 p.m. before returning home for the final game of the year and Senior Day against league-leading SNU on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.

The first quarter saw the Lady Bulldogs and Muleriders each make four field goals, but SWOSU took 16 shots to just eight for the home team. However, SAU took a five-point lead at 18-13 into the next frame after capitalizing on an 8-2 free throw disparity.

Inside the second quarter, the Lady Dawgs' defense came to life, allowing only five total points on 2-13 (15.4%) shooting. They outrebounded the home team 14-7 in the frame, helping build their 30-23 lead going into the break.

SAU tried to regain control for the rest of the game, getting within three points of the Lady Dawgs multiple times. However, SWOSU always had an answer to any Mulerider run, taking a nine-point 54-45 lead into the fourth. The Lady Bulldogs created a 60-49 lead with just five minutes remaining but the home team would get it within four points with just over two minutes to play. Four made free throws from Averi Zinn, however, put the game out of reach for good.

SWOSU shot 20-58 (34.5%) from the field while knocking down 9-27 (33.3%) three-point attempts. SAU went 15-46 (32.6%) and 5-19 (26.3%) from the deep ball. The 15 shots made by SAU tied for the lowest mark allowed by the Lady Dawgs this season.

Averi Zinn and Libbi Zinn each had 13 points to lead the way for the Lady Bulldogs, with Libbi's being a season high. Rees Berkey and Hailey Grant scored 10 for double-digit performances. Lanie Gooch grabbed a team-high nine boards.