Fifth Ranked HBU Beats Southern Nazarene by Eight

No. 5 ranked Houston Baptist University used big runs in each half and weathered a late rally to pull out an 83-75 victory over Southern Nazarene University on Monday night in Sharp Gymnasium. The game had been scheduled for last Thursday, but inclement weather in Oklahoma pushed the contest to Monday night.

HBU shot just 42 percent on the night, but got it done at the stripe, hitting for 79 percent. HBU forced 20 turnovers in the game which led to 29 points, overcoming a 38-24 deficit in the paint. SNU shot 48 percent, but hit just 5-20 from long range.

Houston Baptist placed four players in double-digits, two with twenty-plus. Jasmine Irving had 23 points and four boards, while Velencia Kuykendall added 21 points and nine rebounds. Davis had 12 points, all on three-pointers in the second half, while Dominique Thomas added 11 points and 10 assists. Whitney Pederson had a nice all-around game with six points, nine caroms, four assists and four steals.

Southern Nazarene was led by Mara Kee, who scored 19 points and grabbed six rebounds in the losing effort. Fatou Ndiaye added 17 points and six rebounds and Khady Ngom had 14 points, six boards and four assists for the Storm, now 7-2 overall.

The Huskies improve to 5-2 on the season. HBU will be in action again on Thursday, as it wraps up the quick two-game homestand with No. 3 ranked Oklahoma City University.