ALVA, OKLAHOMA - The Lady Rangers snapped their losing streak with a win over Henderson State Saturday afternoon. Northwestern's defense sparked the victory on Saturday holding the Reddies to 28% shooting and 25% from three. This helped Northwestern build their largest lead of the game at 18 before closing out the 65-49 win the split the season series.
Northwestern was led by Faith Simpson with 26 points and 12 rebounds for a double double in the victory. Camille Thomas was the other Ranger in double figures with 12 points.
Northwestern jumped on the board first with a basket by Faith Simpson. Henderson State quickly answered with a three pointer. The game was locked at 6-6 two minutes into the game. Then there was a two minute scoring drought before Henderson State knocked down two foul shots for an 8-6 lead. The Reddies then knocked down a three pointer for an 11-6 lead. Simpson ended the Rangers four minute drought with a layup for six of the team's first eight points. Nikya Orange hit back to back shots to push the Rangers in front 12-11 After a Reddies three Simpson closed the quarter with a layup with 45 seconds left to tie the score at 14-14 at the end of the 1st quarter.
Northwestern started a dominating quarter with a Simpson three pointer assisted by Talayah Thomas for a 17-14 lead. Camille Thomas hit four straight foul shots to open a 21-14 lead after forcing a couple of misses. The Reddies did not score their first point until the 6:10 mark of the quarter off a Ranger turnover for a 21-16 Ranger lead. Craig answered back with a three pointer to make it 24-16. The two teams traded three's as the Rangers held an eight point advantage. Talayah Thomas pushed the lead to double digits at 29-19 on a fast break layup after a Reddies turnover. Simpson and Thomas pushed the lead to 13 for a 33-20 lead over the Reddies at halftime.
The Lady Rangers built a larger lead starting the third quarter as Simpson and Talayah Thomas getting the job at the line pushed it to 14 point lead. Henderson State's defense switched the momentum of the game as they slowly chipped into the Northwestern lead. They got the lead down to eight 40-32 halfway through the third quarter. Two minutes later with three minutes and change to play had cut it to four at 42-38. Simpson and Camille Thomas finished the quarter strong, scoring six straight for the Rangers and pushing the lead back to six at 48-42 through three quarters.
In the fourth quarter the first points were scored with 8:09 left in the game on a T. Thomas layup to make it a 50-42 lead for Northwestern. A minute later Camille Thomas had the lead back at double digits. Simpson hit back to back layups to take a 60-47 lead. Talayah Thomas' three pointer pushed the lead to 18 with 20 seconds left as the Lady Rangers closed out a big 65-49 win over the Reddies to split the season series.
The Lady Rangers will return to action Monday evening against rival Southwestern Oklahoma State for a rematch from earlier in the season.
