ALVA, Okla. – The Northwestern Oklahoma State women's basketball team let a double digit halftime lead slip away and dropped a 63-59 decision at the hands of Southern Arkansas on Thursday night inside Percefull Fieldhouse.

The Lady Rangers (6-5, 2-3 GAC) went on a 22-5 run throughout the final minutes of the first quarter and into the opening minutes of the second quarter to build a 33-15 point advantage at the halftime break. Northwestern held Southern Arkansas (2-9, 1-4 GAC) to 5-of-35 made shots from the field throughout the opening half.

The Lady Muleriders came out with vengeance in the second half and put together a 19-4 run to bring the Lady Ranger lead down to just five points at the 5:04 mark of the third quarter. Northwestern recovered from the difficult offensive stretch and used two Jade Jones' free throws in the final second of the quarter to take a 45-38 lead heading into the final frame.

Jones led the Lady Rangers with 19 points on the night while also contributing five rebounds and five assists to the effort. Freshman Bailey Brown was the only other Lady Ranger to reach double digits on a night in which the Black-and-Red made 21-of-58 (36.2%) shots from the field.

Northwestern extended their lead to as much as nine with 6:12 remaining in the contest at 54-45, but 13 straight Southern Arkansas points gave them their first lead since the opening seconds of the contest. Jones drew contact on the ensuing possession and hit both free throws to tie the contest up at 58-58. The Pond Creek, Okla. native quickly regained possession after a missed layup on the other side of the court, but was unable to draw a foul as she drove the lane with 1:21 remaining.

Southern Arkansas capitalized on the failed possession with a lay-up to take a two-point lead, and hit their free throws when needed throughout the final minute of the game to put the finishing touches on the comeback victory.

Freshman Selena McDonald grabbed a team-high nine rebounds while also posting eight points. Guard Jakeria Otey recorded three steals while putting down seven points.
The Lady Rangers will look to rebound after a poor second half on Saturday afternoon when they take on Arkansas-Monticello at 1:30 p.m.