Alva Review-Courier -

BETHANY, Okla. — For the first time this season and the first time since the 2016-17 season, Southern Nazarene has won four straight games as they took down Southern Arkansas 60-50 inside the Sawyer Center on Saturday afternoon.

Despite shooting just 31 percent from the floor, the Crimson Storm (9-9, 8-4 GAC) forced a season-high 23 turnovers out of the Muleriders (2-16, 1-11 GAC) in the contest. SNU went on to convert 28 points off those turnovers, which proved to be the difference maker. SAU won the rebounding battle 43-40, but SNU converted 17-of-24 (70%) free-throw attempts. The win moves the Storm to 6-1 inside the Sawyer Center and makes it seven wins in their last eight games.

Sophomore Alexus Jones led the way in scoring for the Crimson Storm as she tallied 16 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Abby Niehues had a career afternoon on the defensive side as she recorded a career-high eight blocks against the Muleriders. Niehues also added six points and seven rebounds in the contest as well. Senior Madeline Schroepfer was the only other Storm player in double figure scoring as she scored 11 points, pulled down six rebounds, and dished out three assists as well.

The Muleriders came out red hot in the first quarter as they tallied 21 points on 7-of-11 shooting. SAU also held the Storm to 36 percent shooting in the opening frame, but SNU forced seven turnovers that they converted into eight points. Southern Arkansas also knocked down both of their three-point attempts to take a 21-18 lead into the second.

Southern Nazarene's shooting woes continued into the second quarter, as they went just 1-of-13 (7%) from the floor and 0-for-5 from behind the arc. The Storm did use gritty defense to keep themselves in the game however, as they held the Muleriders to 23 percent shooting. SNU got to the line eight times and made seven of those freebies to face a 33-27 deficit heading into halftime.

The Crimson Storm carried their strong defensive effort into the third period as they forced six turnovers out of Southern Ark and held them to 30 percent shooting. The Storm shot under 30 percent for the second straight quarter, but managed to make six free-throws, and cut the Mulerider lead to 44-43 heading into the fourth.

SNU kicked off the final frame on a 7-0 run to take a 50-44 lead, which prompted an SAU timeout. After the Muleriders cut it to four with 3:30 to play, Schroepfer's three-pointer with 3:18 to play gave the Storm a 57-50 lead. It was all SNU after that as they closed the fourth with a couple of buckets to win their fourth straight game.

Southern Nazarene hits the road next weekend for a couple of GAC contests in Arkansas as they face Henderson State next Thursday night in Arkadelphia. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.