The Basics
Score: Northwestern 67 – Northeastern State 82
Records: NW (0-2, 0-0 GAC) - NE (1-1, -0 MIAA)
Location: Hamilton Fieldhouse – Edmond, Okla.

EDMOND, Okla. - Northwestern Oklahoma State Women's Basketball was defeated 82-67 by Northeastern State in the final game of the MIAA/GAC challenge.


The Fast Break
Following a tough season opener against Central Oklahoma on Friday evening, the Rangers returned to action at Hamilton Fieldhouse on the campus of UCO to take on MIAA foe Northeastern State. Guard Jonae Isaac gave the black-and-red their first lead of the season with a deep three-point shot just 12 seconds into the ball game. The Riverhawks answered with three buckets from behind the arc, going on a 15-4 run midway through the first quarter. Coach Diesselhorst settled down the troops following a timeout and used some potent perimeter shooting of their own in the form of three point shots from freshman Taylor Cell and senior Ashley Pride. A lay-up from Isaac brought the Rangers within one with 42 seconds left in the opening quarter, but a Riverhawk lay-up brought the score to 26-23 at the end of the quarter.
    After the break in action, the Rangers defense allowed a few lay-ups to the Riverhawks, but another three for the black-and-red slowed the bleeding, and a lay-up from Isaac brought the Rangers within three. Both teams tightened up on the defensive side of the ball as neither team was able to put any more points on the board for nearly four minutes. A deep three from the Riverhawks gave them a 41-34 lead going into the half. Coming out of the break the Riverhawks got a quick lay-up to extend their lead to 43-34, followed by a stretch where both teams once again went cold until Northeastern got another lay-up to fall all the way at the 6:38 mark of the quarter.
    Northeastern continued their explosion of offense and extended their lead to the largest of the ball game at 58-43. The Rangers closed out the third quarter with six unanswered points to bring the score at the end of three to 58-47. Isaac hit another crucial shot to bring the Rangers within ten points, and a Kalea King free throw added to the mix brought the Rangers back within single digits of the Riverhawks. An 8-0 run during the midway point in the half gave the Riverhawks the control they needed to finish off the Rangers 82-67.

Individual Leaders

• Four Rangers reached double digits with senior Ashley Pride and Isaac leading the way with 14 points apiece.
• Junior Kori Barrios and Isaac both grabbed six rebounds to defend the glass for the Rangers.
• Freshman Taylor Cell had three steals throughout the game to lead the Rangers on the defensive side of the ball.

Team Stats

• The major factor in the team stats proved to be the points in the paint as the Rangers were outscored in the paint by a total of 40 to 12 points.

Up Next

• Northwestern Oklahoma State Women's Basketball will return to the court in Searcy, Arkansas where they will kick-off Great American Conference play against Harding University on November, 17 at 5:30 p.m.

For the latest information and updates on Ranger Basketball, follow @NWOSUAthletics on Twitter or go to www.riderangersride.com.