The Southeastern Oklahoma State University women’s basketball team began 2010 in the same way they had played most of 2009 — by winning basketball games.

Continuing those winning ways becomes critical now, as the ladies begin play in the Lone Star Conference North this month and in February, and are home tonight and Saturday night to face LSC south foes Abilene Christian and Angelo State.

The Savage Storm travelled to Arkansas on Monday night and got their 10th win of the season, 87-79, over Ouachita Baptist, and remain No. 25 in the nation in Wednesday’s NCAA Division II rankings at 10-1 on the season.

“At the end of the first semester, we lost our first game at A&M Kingsville (90-74) and that was disappointing,” said Storm head coach Darin Grover. “We didn’t play well down there at all and they played great.

“We rebounded with a win at Ouachita Baptist Monday night, and that’s not an easy place to play. We played very well offensively, but did not play well defensively in the second half. Thankfully, we scored enough points to win the game.”

Grover was pleased with the offense and the team’s ability to score at Ouachita Baptist.

“Our timing and motion looked really good,” he said. “Typically, that’s not the case when you come back off a long break. The timing is off, your shots are off ... but knock on wood, it was on last night, and I hope that continues in the first part of the semester.”

Abilene Christian comes in tonight with an 8-5 record, but have won seven of their last 10 ball games.

“They’ve been kind of up and down this season,” Grover said. “But they’re a very good team.

“Their two best players are sisters, Jamie Meyer and Jodie Meyer. They’re averaging 21 and 16 points a game, so those are their two go-to players. They’re going to run a lot of sets to get those two the ball.

“They’re always very tough. They’re well coached and play good defense, run good sets and know what their strengths are, so they’ll be a challenge for us.”

The women’s game tips off tonight at 6 followed by the Southeastern men at 8.

Both will follow the same schedule on Saturday when Angelo State comes to Bloomer Sullivan Arena.