Alva, Okla - The Lady Rangers hosted their home opener against the Falcons of Kansas Christian College Tuesday evening. The Rangers came out strong in the first two quarters to have a 33-10 lead over the Falcons. Northwestern used a 27-0 run to gain control early in the game and would never lose the lead throughout using the game opening to gain full momentum.
Rangers win their first game of their season 115-38 behind 22 points from Bailey Brown as they improve to 1-2 on the season.
Bailey Brown led the Rangers with 22 points, eight rebounds and three assists. Brown completed a perfect evening going 8-8 from the field along with 5-5 from the foul line. Brown was one of five Rangers in double figures, as she was joined by Josena Frame with 13 points, Carly Craig with 12, Andi Pierce had 10 and Kes Reeves with 10. The Rangers leading rebounder was Brown with eight followed by Camille Thomas with six. Craig led the team with six assists on the evening.
1st Quarter
The Lady Rangers came out hot in the first quarter with a 38-3 lead over the Falcons at the quarter end. The game started with a Northwestern 27-0 run. Brown led the team opening the game with 12 points followed by Frame with seven. Northwestern opened the game 4-7 from three. The defense picked up the intensity having four steals on the run and not allowing a point until the three mintue mark. Brown led the Rangers with 14 points and 6 rebounds. Carly Craig, Kes Reeves, and Brown all with 2 assists each. Within the first minute of the game, Kinsey Niederer hit a 3 point shot with an assist from Craig.
2nd Quarter
The Red-and-Black ended the second quarter 66-15 going into halftime. Andi Pierce opened up the second quarter by drving to the rim and finishing with a layup. With nine minutes left in the quarter, Brown go the ball off a rebound, fininshing the put back layup. With eight minutes left, Craig stole the ball from the Falcons and dribbled the ball up the middle passing it to Pierce. Pierce would return the favor by passing the ball back to Craig who would sink a jump shot for two points. Shortly after, Craig with another steal, passing the ball to Brown for layup. Following a Craig three halfway through the second quarter would put Northwestern up 56-7 over the Falcons. A Reeves layup with 2:17 to play would put the Rangers up by 51 points at 62-11.
The Lady Rangers led the Falcons 66-15 going into halftime.
"It was good to get going early in the game from our defense and knocking down shots early on to get off to a solid start. We were moving the ball well tonight, had some good looks in transition helping us start the game fast. Defense played solid all game being in the right spot and using the rebound to get out in transition, and forcing turnovers throughout the game" stated head coach Tasha Diesselhorst on the win in the 105.7 Alva KRDR post game show.
3rd Quarter
The Lady Rangers would open up the 3rd quarter right where they left off as a 3 point shot made by Neiderer, assisted by Craig kept the momentum out of the break for a 69-15 lead. Pierce made back to back three's with seven mintues left in the quarter opening an 86-20 lead over Kansas Christian. Northwestern would hit four straight threes on this run. The Falcons turned over the ball five times in the third quarter. Northwestern closed the third quarter with a 96-30 lead.
4th Quarter
The Falcons opened up the fourth quarter with a layup. Lizzie Shepard answered back with a two point jump shot. Camille Thomas broke 100 point mark for the Rangers with a layup on a shot she was fouled on as she completed the three point play by knocking down the foul shot. Zoe Cornett led the Rangers in the fourth quarter with seven points off the bench including a three point basket. A Aubrey Ritter layup gave the Rangers their victory margin of 77 with a 115-38 point win Tuesday.
This marked the first time the Rangers hit the century mark since the 2019-2020 season in a 111-41 victory over Bacone. This was the Rangers largest victory through out the Division II era.
Northwestern will host Manhattan Christian on Saturday, Nov. 20th with the women's game at 2 PM and the men's following at 4 PM against Manhattan Christian.
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