Alva, Okla. - Northwestern faced off against East Central after a inclimate weather postponement Thursday night, beating the The Tigers 79-74. Both teams battled back and forth throughout the entire game. A late 10-0 run by The Lady Rangers and a 89% free throw shooting percentage allowed Northwestern to ride to success in the five point victory. The win splits the season series between the two programs.
The Lady Rangers advanced to a 8-7 in conference with a 12-9 record on the season. The Lady Tigers fall to a 7-8 conference record with a 10-9 record.
Bailey Brown led The Lady Rangers with 27 points followed closely by Scout Frame with 25 combining for 52 points in the victory. S.Frame led in rebounds with 11 followed by Brown with 9. Carly Craig led in assists with 11. This was S.Frames fifth double double of the year and sixth of her career.
1st Quarter: It was a quick start for both teams as The Lady Tigers of East Central struck first with a three pointer. The Lady Rangers quickly answered with a layup by Kinsey Neiderer. Northwestern went on an early 7-0 run with a three pointer by Bailey Brown. The Lady Tigers responded with a jumper. The teams exchanged shots back and forth. A lay up by The Lady Rangers brought the teams to a tie at 9-9. A layup by Scout Frame put Northwestern in front. However, East Central quickly fired back with a three pointer. Once again both teams traded baskets back and forth. A three pointer by Andi Pierce put The Lady Ranger's in the lead with only one minute to go in the first at 21-18. A technical foul call on East Central allowed Brown to sink two free throws and keep The Lady Rangers ahead 23-22 going into the second quarter. Seniors, Brown and S.Frame led the team with nine points. Carly Craig led the team in assists with three.
2nd Quarter: The Lady Tigers struck first in the second quarter with a layup. Neiderer fired back with another layup. The game remained close as teams exchanged basket for basket. A layup by Brown and two free throws by S.Frame put Northwestern in the lead by three at 31-28. East Central answered back with a three point play. After more back and forth, a layup by Brown tied the game at 35-35 with two minutes remaining. Craig contributed a late three pointer to keep The Lady Ranger momentum going. The Lady Tigers made three free throws before half to put them ahead 41-38 going into halftime.
3rd Quarter: The Lady Rangers came out of the half on fire with an early three pointer from Josena Frame and a freethrow from Neiderer. The Lady Tigers responded with a three pointer. The team continued to battle throughout trading baskets. An early 6-0 run by East Central left The Rangers trailing 50-44. S.Frame broke their run with a jumper. Teammate Craig contributed with a three pointer to close the gap on The Lady Tigers halfway through the quarter. East Central fired back with a jumper. J. Frame answered with two free throws. The Lady Tigers did not slow down making back to back layups to close the quarter. East Central led 60-53 going into the final quarter, their largest of the game to that point. Seniors Brown and S.Frame led the team in points with 17 each. Brown led in rebounds as well with 7 followed by S.Frame with 6. Craig led in assists with 9.
4th Quarter: The Lady Rangers came out strong in the fourth quarter. Brown scored a layup and J.Frame fired off a three pointer. S.Frame contributed another layup to tie the teams at 60-60 with seven minutes of play remaining. Brown closed off the 10-0 Lady Ranger run with a three pointer. East Central responded with a three pointer to tie the game back up at 63-63. A beautiful assist by Craig and a completed layup by S.Frame kept Northwestern's momentum going. The Lady Tigers fired back with two made layups. Brown sank 5 free throws and J.Frame contributed a drawing charge giving possession back to the Lady Rangers. Craig contributed a shot clock buzzer beating jumper. East Central fired back with a late three pointer. Northwestern stormed back in the fourth to take control The Lady Rangers held their lead over The Lady Tigers closing the game out at the foul line bringing the win to 79-74.
The Lady Rangers hit the road for another two-day trip to Arkansas next week. They will face off against The Lady Tigers of Ouachita Baptist Thursday February 10th with a tip off set at 5:30.
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