Women Fall in Season Opener against UCO

ALVA, Okla. – Southeastern shot 27.7 percent from the field and was uncharacteristically cold from the three-point line as it dropped the season opener against Central Oklahoma 68-57 in game one of the GAC/MIAA Challenge hosted in Alva, Okla.
 
SE drops to 0-1 to open the year heading into a 6 p.m. Saturday evening showdown with Northeastern State in the finale of the event.  The RiverHawks opened with a 61-43 win over the host Northwestern Oklahoma State.
 
The Savage Storm jumped ahead with a 19-11 lead after the first quarter, with Olivia Potter hitting a three to open the game and SE did not trail again in the quarter.
 
The SE lead grew as large as 12 points on a Rachel Wallace jumper at the 6:00 mark of the second quarter, but UCO would whittle the Storm lead to 30-26 by halftime.
 
The Bronchos gained the lead in the third quarter, but a late Shelby Hill jumper cut the gap to 42-41 and UCO would take a 43-41 lead into the final frame.
 
The Storm regained the lead on a Potter free throw early in the fourth at 44-43, but a 14-4 run would give UCO a 57-48 advantage.
 
Southeastern would get no closer than eight points down the stretch before falling 68-57.
 
Wallace paced the Storm with 14 points and added seven rebounds, while Kaylie Baxter was the only other SE player in double-figures at 12.
 
Potter finished the game with eight points on a pair of threes and a pair of free throws, Emem David chipped in seven with a perfect 5-for-5 night at the line, and Hill and Taylor Richards each added six.
 
Richards led the way with eight rebounds, while Wallace was right behind with seven and Potter on her heels with four.
 
The Storm finished with just six assists as a team across from 16 turnovers.