EDMOND, Okla. – The Lady Rangers used a dominate second quarter to get past the Eagles in this non-conference game 80-60. Northwestern was able to seal the victory from a 10-0 run to close out the game.
Bailey Brown, finished the game with 27 points eight rebounds three assists along with two steals in an extremely well-rounded game for the junior. Sophomore Hillary Hurst added a double-double for the Lady Rangers tallying 14 points and 12 rebounds helping the team get off to a fast start. The Texas native Kalea King finished with 17 points and five rebounds on the game. The senior guard Jakeria Otey rounded out the four scorers with double figures finishing with 10 points and four steals.
Northwestern took advantage of some key matchup in this game down in the post scoring 38 of their 80 points in the post. This comes from the Lady Rangers bringing down 12 offensive rebounds leading to 19 second chance points in the game. NWOSU won the rebounds 44-29 which was a major difference in this game limiting the Eagles to only nine second chance points.
Being outscored in the first quarter 66-130 the Lady Rangers looked to get out to a faster start. They did exactly that after three offensive rebounds in the opening possession Hurst drilled the three from the right wing gaining the first lead of the game. This would help the Lady Rangers jump out to a 12-7 lead overall. The Eagles closed the quarter on a 7-2 lead to even the score at 14 after the first. NWOSU had their worst quarter in the first one shooting 35% from the field. The Eagles shot a slightly better amount with 38% from the field.
The even score was carried into Northwestern's best quarter so far this season being the second quarter as they outscore their opponents 100-77 in the second, which it was no different tonight. The Lady Rangers opened the quarter with six straight points, four of them from Brown. After that mark the defense stepped up forcing the Eagles into a struggle as they shot 2-12(16%) from the field. While the Lady Rangers shot 7-15 (46%). The Eagles had a foul shot from Tyra Peck, but Brown buried a three pointer pushing the lead to double digits 31-20 which it never left. A Brown foul shot sent us to the halftime score of 34-22 after winning the second quarter 20-8. The defensive energy was clear as it carried into the offense stabilizing a steady lead.
Hurst help set the tone early in the second half making two quick shots to start the second half as the Lady Rangers wanted to make sure they did not let the Eagles have any comeback hopes. A Katelyn Schieber three-pointer gave Northwestern their largest lead of the game to point at 18 with 1:26 left in the third. In a quarter they end up winning by three to extend their lead to 15 after three built off of holding OC to just 35% shooting. NWOSU on the other hand shot 50% in the third on 8-of-16 and 3-of-6 from three.
With the Lady Rangers holding 15 points entering the final quarter they showed no signs of slowing down, instead they only picked their game up offensively. After King got in foul trouble a little early that was able to help the Eagles keep her in check. However, in the final quarter she picked up the aggression as she went onto score 13 of her 17 points in the final quarter. Oklahoma Christian got the deficit down to 10 but King put an end to that. The senior stepped up when the team needed it the most. She stopped the Eagle run with a drive for a layup making the shot and getting fouled. She would complete the three-point play. The Lady Rangers would finish the quarter shooting 7-10 in the fourth and final quarter. The Lady Rangers finished the game on a 10-0 run in response to the Eagles bringing the game within 10.
Northwestern would finish the game 28-58 good for 48% from the field, 8-21 from 3-point range, and 16-20 from the foul line. The Lady Rangers never trailed in this game. It did feature two ties but the NWOSU quickly regained the lead both times. This non-conference matchup has been played in four straight seasons, now after the win the series is tied 2-2.
The win improves Northwestern on the year to 4-3, while staying at 1-1 in Great American Conference play. The Lady Rangers will be back at Percefull Fieldhouse after that five game road trip where they finished 3-2. Tuesday will be against Bacone College at 5:30 PM.
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