RUSSELLVILLE, ARKANSAS - Northwestern Oklahoma State traveled to Russellville Arkansas for the first of three straight road games. The Lady Rangers had their seven game win streak snapped after a 64-54 loss to Arkansas Tech.
The Lady Rangers drop to 15-2 on the season with a 7-2 conference record following the loss.
Northwestern had two players in double figure points as Faith Simpson led with 14 points as Carly Craig had 10 points. Simpson had eight rebounds and three steals in the game.
In the opening quarter the two teams battled as the defenses started strong creating problems offensively for each team. The Lady Rangers forced 11 opening quarter turnovers. Tompson got the scoring started the scoring in the game with a layup for the 2-0 lead just under a minute into the game. Northwestern offense struck for the first time with 8:05 remaining in the quarter as Calry Craig knocked down a three pointer after the defense forced a turnover. Following a four minute scoring drought between the two teams Arkansas Tech was able to hit a three pointer by Wyrick for a 5-3 lead. Simpson answered with a turnaround step back jump shot to tie the game at five. Arkansas Tech answered, scoring five straight led by Wagner to open a five point lead. Marcel with time winding down hit a final seconds three pointer from the corner for a 15-9 lead over the Lady Rangers at the end of the quarter.
Simpson opened the second quarter with a turnaround jump shot looking to cut back into the deficit, after Tech answered though both teams went into scoring drought before Harrod hit a layup to end the drought for the Lady Rangers. Arkansas Tech extended their lead to nine at 24-15 following a Hill steal and fast break layup. Simpson ended the Tech run with a layup before Craig knocked down a three pointer for a quick 5-0 Northwestern run. Marcal ended the Lady Ranger run before the two teams started trading points as Camille Thomas hit two foul shots right before the half trailing by six heading into the halftime break after an even second quarter.
Arkansas Tech took their largest lead of the game following a three pointer and a layup for a quick 5-0 run for a 35-24 lead. Paige Scott hit a three to answer bringing the deficit back to single digits. Tech however continued to answer stretching their lead back to double digits following a steal by Marcal and foul shots. Dana Thompson hit a shot to take a 45-31 Arkansas Tech's largest lead at the time. Talayah Thomas and Faith Simpson helped the Lady Rangers go on a quick 5-0 run. Josena Frame hit a three pointer in the final seconds of the third quarter as the Lady Rangers trailed 49-41 at the end of the third quarter against Arkansas Tech.
Lady Rangers continued to have a spark to start the fourth quarter chipping into their deficit as Camille Thomas had a put back layup followed by a Scott three pointer as Northwestern trailed 49-46 in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter. Northwestern's defense force three turnovers to start the quarter holding Arkansas Tech scoreless through the first three minutes of the fourth as a Simpson layup brought the Lady Rangers back within one. Arkansas Tech hit their first three pointer of the quarter with 6:23 left in the game to end their field goal drought after hitting a couple of foul shots extending their lead back to six. It was a 7-0 run that extended their lead back to eight at 58-50 before Camille Thomas brought their run to an end. Nikya Orange had a steal leading a fast break layup for Carly Craig but Arkansas Tech closed the game with the final four points of the game to hold on for a 64-54 victory over the Lady Rangers snapping the seven game win streak.
Northwestern is back in action on Saturday afternoon with tip-off scheduled for 1:00 PM for a ranked conference matchup against Harding University.
