ALVA, Okla. – A late comeback bid by the Northwestern Oklahoma State University women's basketball squad came up short Tuesday evening against former conference rival Oklahoma Christian inside Percefull Fieldhouse.
Down by as many as 16 late in the third quarter, the Lady Rangers made a push in the final 12 minute of game play to cut the difference two with two minutes remaining. However, the Lady Eagles held on late for a 65-61 victory over the Lady Rangers.
Northwestern is 1-3 this season following the loss as the Lady Rangers head to the Oahu Thanksgiving Classic in Honolulu, Hawaii. NWOSU will face off against Minot State in the opening game of the classic Thursday afternoon, followed by a contest at Chaminade Friday. Both games are scheduled to tip at 4 p.m.
In Tuesday night's showdown against the Lady Eagles, the Northwestern offense struggled from the floor in the first two periods of play, but kept the game within reach at the halftime break, 25-17.
After OC made it a 16-point game at the 3:37 mark of the third quarter, Jade Jones answered with a three pointer to cut into the lead. The Lady Eagles again stretched third lead to the 16-point difference, but the tide began to turn when Jones knocked down her second straight three to make it 46-33.
The senior's long range shot spurred an 11-0 run by the Lady Rangers that also included two three-pointers by Jakeria Otey and a Jones two-point jumper. Oklahoma Christian All-American candidate Addy Clift converted a free-throw in the final seconds of the third to make it a six-point game heading to the final 10 minutes of play.
Jones led the Lady Rangers with 16 points, six rebounds and five assists, while Otey finished the game with six points. Kalea King finished in double-figures for the second time this season with 14 points.
Starting of the final quarter, the Lady Rangers continued its run that closed the third stanza with four straight by Bailey Brown to stretch the push to 15-1 before Clift drained a long three pointer to shut down the run.
OC brought its lead back to a nine-point difference midway through the fourth before Jones drove the basket, drew a foul and hit both free throws. Off a Lady Eagle turnover about a minute later, McKenzie Billy hit a three from the left wing with 2:33 to go, followed by a pair of free-throws by King to make it a 59-57 Lady Eagle advantage with two minutes to go.
Clift led Oklahoma Christian with 22 points, Katie Mayo added 14 and Kendall Blackburn finished with 11.
Unfortunately, whenever the Lady Rangers would hit a shot in the final couple of minutes, the visiting team would answer to ultimately bring the game to the 65-61 final output.
Northwestern finished the game with 15 points off 17 Lady Eagle turnovers.
Senior Bailey Forell had nine points for Northwestern and freshman Presley Payahsape continues to make an impact underneath with eight points and a season high six rebounds. Bailey Brown led the home team with seven rebounds and added four points.
Billy finished with five rebounds and her three-point basket in the fourth quarter, and Kenzie Mize tacked on a free throw to round out the scoring for Northwestern.
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