ALVA, OKLAHOMA- After five straight loses, Northwestern Oklahoma State was able to put an end to it returning home hosting the Lady Bison. The first quarter was tied, but they were able to put a scoring stop on Harding as they only scored 8 points in the second quarter versus the Lady Rangers 21 points. The ladies dominated throughout the game, but especially in the third quarter with their longest lead of 13 points at the 9:22 mark. The final quarter was close but the visitors were able to be held as the Lady Ranger defense secured the three point victory.

This is the second time NWOSU has beat Harding since joining the GAC. Their season record now stands at an even 8-8, and 4-8 within the conference. This is the Lady Bison's fifth loss of the season, and the only other time they lost to us was just this last season with a two-point difference. Carly Craig's 21 points ultimately led the game but many players were able to score in the double digits this evening including Camille Thomas, Talayah Thomas, and Faith Simpson.

First Quarter

The Lady Rangers opened the game with a show down in the post completed by Faith Simpson. Camille Thomas drove down the lane for an easy layup in the next possession. She another capitalized on another layup opportunity after a few runs back and forth. Carly Craig drilled a three putting the girls back in the lead 9-7 at the 5:31 mark. Craig had a fast break just like C. Thomas before and hits a pull-up three-pointer. C. Thomas scores a contested jumper making Northwestern ahead by three with just two minutes left in the quarter. The first trip to the foul line was made by Simpson at the 0:21 mark, completing both as the quarter ended with a tie of 16-16.

Second Quarter

Talayah Thomas earned her first points of the game with a floater after an offensive rebound made by C. Thomas. Josena Frame scored the third three of game made by the Lady Rangers assisted by Craig. Craig passed off to Simpson down on the block gaining another assist, putting them ahead of the Lady Bison 23-18 at the 6:39 mark. Shooting deep off the line, Craig knocked down yet another three-pointer. Simpson scored another two-points under the goal on a fast break. Craig scores in the paint for the first time this game after Tyavna Vaught stole the ball from the visitors. T. Thomas hit her second basket of the game with another assist made by Craig. In the last few possessions of the half, C. Thomas scored on a layup and Craig hit her fourth three of the night. The Lady Rangers went on a 9-0 run against the Lady Bison and ended the first half with a 13-point lead (37-24).

Third Quarter

Simpson made the Lady Rangers first points of the second half finishing a layup. T. Thomas gets a shot off the glass two and a half minutes in continuing to extend the Lady Ranger lead. C. Thomas found Frame open at the three scoring for the second time this evening. T. Thomas makes the Lady Rangers begin yet another scoring run (5-0) after shooting another layup. C. Thomas visits the free-throw line and completes both shots. Craig scores another mid-range basket putting Northwestern up by nine at the 3:03 mark 50-41. C. Thomas gets fouled a second time within the quarter increasing their lead now by ten. Frame pulls up in the paint and hits an open jump shot. She then draws a charge against the Lady Bison as the Lady Ranger defense continued to force turnovers. The quarter ended with a score of 54-46 in favor of NWOSU.

Fourth Quarter

Craig began the last quarter with a jump shot at the 7:51 mark. C. Thomas hit a contested jumper in the lane. Lady Rangers don't find themselves scoring again until the 3:27 mark as Simpson steals the ball to find C. Thomas in the paint and is able to also draw foul earning a three-point play. The Northwestern defense was able to hold Harding in check keeping the lead late in the game. T. Thomas goes to the foul line and makes one out of two free throws. Another layup is good by T. Thomas.  

Timeout is called with just 90 seconds left in the game and the Lady Rangers are holding a lead of 6 against the Lady Bison with a score of 62-58. After the break, Craig shoots two free throws scoring only one. She visits the line yet again with 26 seconds left and scores both this time. This puts Northwestern up by three 67-64. T. Thomas gets fouled again and scores both of her free throws, keeping them in the lead. They are able to hold them off the last few seconds of the game securing their second win ever against the Lady Bison with a final score of 69-66!

The Lady Rangers will be returning to Percefull Fieldhouse this Saturday hosting Arkansas Tech tipping off at 1:00pm. This game will also include this year's NWOSU Hall of Fame Inductions!