SE Downs NSU in MIAA/GAC Challenge

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Emily Williams posted a double-double with game-highs in points and rebounds as she helped lift Southeastern to a 59-54 victory over Northeastern State on Saturday night at the Stuteville Auto Group MIAA/GAC Challenge in Tahlequah, Okla.
 
The win moves the Savage Storm to 2-0 on the season heading into the home opener on Nov. 17 in Bloomer Sullivan Arena at 5:30 p.m. against Arlington Baptist.
 
Williams finished the contest with 15 points and 11 rebounds, while also adding a pair of blocks.
 
Olivia Potter added nine points off the bench, all from three point range, while Cheree Kiser chipped in eight and Rachel Wallace seven.
 
SE shot 35.1 percent from the floor and hit 6-of-18 form three, but cleaned up at the free throw line where they connected on 13-of-16 attempts as a team.
 
The Storm also held a 43-to-41 advantage on the glass, led by William's 11 boards and the 10 rebounds posted by Kaylie Baxter.
 
The Southeastern defense held NSU to 31.7 percent shooting from the field for the game and a 21.7 percent effort from long range.
 
The storm scored the first six points of the game on Williams buckets bookending a Shelby Hill jumper.
 
By the 12:05 mark the Storm extended its lead to nine points at 16-7 thanks to a Taylor Richards three-point play.
 
The lead would grow to its largest point on a Kiser free throw with 9:23 to play when the Storm took a 22-12 lead.
 
However, NSU would whittle that advantage down to a 30-29 SE lead at halftime.
 
The RiverHawks would take their first lead of the game on a three-point bucket on their first possession of the second half, but a Madison Thames three-point play just over two minutes later would put the Storm back in front at 35-34.
 
SE would again stretch its lead out to 10 points at the 13:12 mark on a Potter three, but NSU would charge back and take a 47-46 lead with 6:57 to play.
 
They would take theior largest lead of the second half at the 5:21 mark at 51-48, but a Wallace three with 4:01 to play would erase that advantage and a Williams jumper with 3:03 to go would put the Storm in front for good.
 
SE would score six of the finasl nine points in the game to hang on for the 59-54 victory.