BETHANY, OK- The Lady Rangers ended their final road trip of the season falling short to Crimson Storm. They came out strong in the first quarter of the game, defensively working creating a difficult time for SNU's offense. The momentum brought on the floor by Northwestern throughout the first half kept them in the lead. Southern Nazarene came back strong after halftime however and sealed the deal in the fourth quarter.
The Lady Rangers were able to keep up with the top-ranked team in the conference though ending just 8 points short of a win. This was SNU's 20th conference win of the season, putting the record for the ladies 11-14, and GAC record of 7-14.
First Quarter
Starting off, Northwestern wins the tipoff. On their fourth offensive possession of the game, the ladies start their scoring run with what they know and do best; a lob down on the block working their post-game. Josena Frame sees Faith Simpson seal her defender off, sending a high lob from the three-point line to nail a layup off the block. Defensively, NWOSU has been able to hold off SNU from a consistent scoring run, applying pressure on the ball handlers extremely well. After two more post shots are made for the Lady Rangers, Carly Craig pulls up for a deep three-point shot with just two minutes left in the first quarter. With 45 seconds left on the clock, Talayah Thomas steals the ball from Southern Nazarene. As they get their offense set up, Frame finds Camille Thomas open for a lob, getting her first layup of the game. The quarter ended with a buzzer-beater field goal made by T. Thomas, putting them in the lead 13-12.
Second Quarter
T. Thomas used her speed to get her second steal of the game, passing the ball to Craig, driving to the basket for an open layup. The first foul made by SNU sent C. Thomas to the line, making one of her two free throws. Southern Nazarene struggled to settle the intensity from our center, as Simpson shot a floater over her defender in the lane. Paige Scott knocks down a three-pointer coming off the bench for T. Thomas, tying the score 21-21 for Northwestern. Craig kept up the momentum scoring jump shot on the next offensive possession, putting them back in the lead 23-21 at the 3:39 mark. After the media timeout, Craig opens the game back up with another field-goal shot. C. Thomas gets another opportunity to shoot free throws as the defense struggles to cover her and Simpson continues to that point in the game. She completed one of two again, keeping a three point lead for Lady Rangers. She also ends the half with a layup, putting Northwestern in a five point lead 28-23!
Third Quarter
Returning for the second half, Northwestern opened with a fastbreak layup made by T. Thomas. Jump shot made by Frame is good, putting them back in the lead by two (32-30). Scoring run of 8-0 was made by Crimson Storm though before Northwestern had an opportunity to shoot again, sending Nikya Orange to the free throw line. She misses her first but makes the second. This actually ended Northwestern's scoring for the remainder of the quarter and SNU kept the lead of 41-33.
Fourth Quarter
Looking to pick intensity back up, T. Thomas draws a foul on a drive sending her to the foul line. She completes both shots, putting them at 35 points to Crimson Storm's 44. Simpson is able to put back her own shot during inbounds play, hitting reverse layup under the basket. Impressive lob was made from the sideline by Craig, getting the ball to Simpson scoring yet another layup. Pump fake made by Frame sent her defender flying and was able to take power dribble around for an open jump shot. Offensive foul made by SNU sent C. Thomas back for two free throws, scoring her second one. Craig draws a foul on the drive, and also scores her second shot. Sideline inbounds play occurred after a timeout called by Northwestern, and Frame was able to cut to the basket and score a layup. Frame open at the corner knocked down a three assisted by Craig passed ball across the floor earning three more points. Game ended with a score of 60-53 in favor of Crimson Storm after the final three was made by Craig.
Lady Rangers will end their regular season at home this Saturday against Southeastern Oklahoma State, with tipoff at 1:00pm.
