ALVA, Okla. – The Northwestern Oklahoma State University women's basketball battled in the first half against the Emporia State Lady Hornets, but in the end the visiting team was to much as ESU knocked off the Lady Rangers 93-47 inside Percefull Fieldhouse.
Northwestern's record fell to 1-2 on the season and Emporia State improved 3-0. The Lady Rangers will look to rebound on their home floor Tuesday evening when they host Oklahoma Christian at 5:30 p.m.
ESU started the game hot from the floor shooting 75-percent from the floor, including six-of-seven from three-point range. However, the Lady Ranger defense never backed down and forced the Lady Hornets into bad shots in the second stanza, cutting a 12 deficit at the end of the first quarter into a six-point difference at the break, 39-33.
Despite the hot shooting by the Lady Hornets, the Northwestern defense played well throughout the first 20 minutes of play, forcing their opponents into eight turnovers.
Freshman Presley Payahsape reached double figures for the first time in her young career as she finished the game with 11 points and added a season high five rebounds, leading the Lady Rangers in each category. Kalea King, Bailey Brown and freshman Kyleigh Leverich, who hit three three-pointers in just four attempts, each added nine points.
The Lady Rangers got the job done at the charity stripe as they finished 13-for-16, including a perfect seven attempts by Brown in the first quarter of play.
Other scorers for Northwestern were Jakeria Otey with four points, Jade Jones had two points and Bailey Forrell added a free throw. Williams, a freshman from Malad City, Idaho, saw her first action of her career, picking up first two points and a pair rebounds during the fourth quarter.
Jessica Wayne led the Lady Hornets with a double-double, including 21 points and 10 rebounds. Her team was an outstanding 54.1-percent from the field on the evening, converting 16 shots from beyond the arc.
The Lady Hornets took over the game in the second half as they Lady Rangers shooting went cold en route to a 24.6-percent performance from the floor.
For the latest news and updates on NWOSU Women's Basketball, follow @NWOSUAthletics on TWITTER or visit www.riderangersride.com.
