ALVA, Okla. - The Red-and-Black returned home for Thursday evening's game against Arkansas Tech. The Lady Rangers used an 8-0 run in the second quarter to widen the lead to seven that would be the difference in the game as the Lady Rangers would never trail again after that run. Lady Rangers would go on to win 92-76. The 92 points are the most points in a conference game, since joining the Great American Conference.
The Lady Rangers were led by junior Bailey Brown who finished the game with a career-high 36 points on 12-16 shooting. Kalea King followed with a 22 point performance on 5-12 shooting and 12-14 from the foul line. Presley Payahsape was the last double-figure scorer for the Lady Rangers as she finished the game with 16 points on the day. Along with her 36 points, Brown finished the game with 19 rebounds for her eighth double-double on the season. Kyleigh Leverich finished with the team-high in assists with five on the evening.
Thursday evening's game started off defensive. It opened with a steal by Hurst which started the opening minute scoreless drought by both teams. First points would come from the Golden Suns at the 8:47 mark. At the media timeout in the first quarter, the Lady Rangers led 5-2. The opening quarter featured six lead changes that ended with a tech 4-0 run to give the Golden Suns a 14-12 lead at the end of the opening quarter.
Lady Rangers regained the lead by opening the quarter on a 6-0 run. After Arkansas Tech took a 20-19 lead the Lady Rangers made their move going on an 8-0 run to open separation between the two teams taking a 27-20 lead. A Leverich three with two minutes left in the quarter sent the lead to double digits at 36-24. Brown would hit the final shot of the half giving Northwestern a 10 point lead at the break, along with 17 points
Lady Rangers went into halftime winning 40-30 over Arkansas Tech
Tech would open the half on a small run getting the game back within five points. A Payahsape three would stop the run and push the Lady Rangers back up by eight. King would score four straight points for Northwestern to put the Lady Rangers back up double digits this time at 12. Brown would close the quarter out with a layup putting the Lady Rangers backup 15 points 62-47 at the end of the third.
The Golden Suns would try and get closer, but the Lady Rangers had an answer each time. This time it was King stopping the run sending the Lady Rangers back up by 15. Brown would keep Tech out of it from there scoring eight straight for the Lady Rangers. This would give Brown her career-high of 36 points in the game and keep the lead over double digits. A King jump shot would give the Lady Rangers their largest lead at 20 points for a score of 91-71.
The Lady Rangers defeated Arkansas Tech 92-76 Thursday Evening.
The win Thursday evening was the first one for the Lady Rangers over Arkansas Tech since 2014 snapping the 12 game losing streak against the Golden Suns. The Lady Rangers finished the game with 36 made foul shots which is the most on the season for the Lady Rangers along with the 42 attempted foul shots.
The Red-and-Black improved to 13-14 on the season 9-12 in GAC play. The Lady Rangers will play their final game on Saturday against Harding University. Saturday will be senior day with all of the senior recognition events happening before tip-off.
