Tweet #theGAC  SHAWNEE, Okla. - For just the second time in program history, Southern Nazarene punched their ticket to the GAC title game, earned from a dominating 60-45 take down of No. 5 Oklahoma Baptist in Saturday's semifinals contest.

The Storm (26-4,21-1 GAC) took control right from opening tip and never let up, leading by double digits the majority of the contest while holding the Bison (17-13,12-10 GAC) to just 33% shooting and 2-10 from the three point line. SNU's defense also proved to be a key factor in the win as they out-rebounded OBU 42-31.

It was all SNU the first 10 minutes as they outscored the Bison 22-13, largely contributed by senior guard Lauryn Reither who went 4-4 from deep in the first quarter. The Storm kept their lead alive in the second quarter, holding the Bison to just eight points off of three field goals, while scoring 13 points of their own.

SNU's defense forced nine OBU turnovers the first half, allowing the Storm to hold the 35-21 advantage at the halfway point.

The Bison picked up some pace in the third quarter, matching SNU in scoring with 13 points. But, the Storm's hot start set the Bison back just enough to where a comeback was never in sight. The Storm led by as many as 15 in the third quarter, but OBU rallied back to make it a 10-point game two minutes into the fourth quarter.

The Bison's comeback quest was quickly warded off by SNU who worked back up to a 17-point lead with just three minutes left in the ballgame. Free throws were exchanged the remainder of the contest, and OBU waived the white flag just under two minutes remaining, leaving SNU to walk away with the final 60-45 victory.

Hannah Giddey was on fire, just shy of a double double with 19 points and nine boards. The junior also grabbed four assists and four blocks, finishing 9-14 from the field.

Reither tied her career high in points, finishing with 18 and a 5-7 finish from beyond the arc.

Georgia Adams chipped in nine points to go along with nine boards as well. Cassandra Awatt finished with eight points and grabbed 11 rebounds, making that a game-high for the senior.

Southern Nazarene will now face the most anticipated matchup yet, facing Harding in the title game on Sunday at 1 p.m. Both the Storm and the Bison dominated the GAC throughout the regular season and have each defeated one another once this season. Harding has been featured in the title game numerous times before while SNU's most recent appearance came during the 2021 season where they took down Southeastern Oklahoma State for their first GAC Tournament Title in the DII era.