SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Crimson Storm of Southern Nazarene elected to play 'long-range' basketball Saturday night, and it paid off, as they defeated the Drury Panthers 75-64 at the O'Reilly Family Event Center.
 
In the second meeting of the season between the two teams, the Crimson Storm launched a total of 37 three-point shots during the course of the contest, draining 13 of them, and was able to hold off a late rally effort by the Panthers. Southern Nazarene evened their season record to 5-5 while snapping a four-game losing streak. The Panthers fell to 4-6 with the loss.
 
Drury, playing with just ten players in uniform due to injuries and roster departures, had trouble stopping Southern Nazarene in the first half, as the visitors hit on 11 of 24 three-point shots en route to a commanding 43-27 halftime advantage.
 
"We needed to make a stance in what we were willing to give up versus what we wanted to accept," said Drury assistant coach Chris Carr.  "We felt if we made them take contested three-point shots and we rebound the ball, we'd give ourselves a chance to win.  But in the first half, they go 11 for 24, but had only six points in the paint and we kept them off the foul line. But, unfortunately, we couldn't get to the line and that's just how the game went."
 
The Panthers were paced in scoring by junior Malek Davis, who finished with 25 points.  Junior Dillon Carlson added 10.
 
The Crimson Storm got a game-high 29 points from Tyler McGghie, who was good on 7 of 13 shots from beyond the 3-point arc.
 
Drury was again without head coach Chris Foster, who continues to deal with on-going health issues.
 
The Panthers will return to action following the holiday break, when they host William Jewell in a Great Lakes Valley Conference showdown, Jan. 2 at the O'Reilly Family Event Center.
 
 
#MoreThanChampions