ALVA, OKLAHOMA - Northwestern Oklahoma State Lady Rangers closed out the portion of the non-conference schedule with a dominating 73-42 victory over Friends University. Lady Rangers closed the first half on a 10-2 run opening a 17 point lead before closing out the victory over the Falcons.
With the win the Lady Rangers improve to 3-3 on the season heading into the conference opener on Thursday.
Northwestern was led in double figures by four players, as Carly Craig scored the team high with 14 points knocking down four three pointers. Camille Thomas finished with 13, Tegan Jones had 12 and Payton Jones added 11. Kira Bass led the team with nine rebounds, as Kennedy Hight had a team high six assists.
The game started defensively for both teams as it took two minutes for both teams to score before the Lady Rangers jumped out to a 5-0 lead over the Falcons. Rangers forced the Falcons 0-5 shooting with two turnovers. Friends answered back though with a 6-0 run to take their first lead of the game. Teams traded baskets deep into the first quarter when Camille Thomas pushed the Lady Rangers back in front taking a 9-8 lead. Tegan Jones then drilled the first of her four three pointers taking a 12-8 lead. She followed with her second three pointer to close out the first quarter with 10 seconds left pushing the Lady Rangers in front 15-11 to end the opening quarter.
Northwestern was the first to strike in the second quarter with a three pointer by Payton Jones hitting a three pointer for her seventh point of the half. Friends' first basket came at the 7:39 mark of the quarter on a three pointer by Kori Babcock. With the Lady Rangers leading 23-14 Jamesha Reece was the first to push the lead to double digits grabbing an offensive rebound and finishing the put back shot as Northwestern led 25-14. Carly Craig and Payton Jones kept the Lady Rangers in front by double digits on a three pointer followed by a jump shot for a 30-18 lead. Northwestern as a team closed the first half on a 10-2 overall run and a 7-0 run to take a 17 point lead into halftime at 35-18, after Craig hit a three pointer her third off the half assisted by Payton Jones.
Kori Babcock of Friends University tried to get the visitors back into the game starting the half with the first five Friends points, as the Falcons trailed 36-25. Northwestern used a 15-7 run over a five minute stretch in the third quarter to open a 21 point lead for the first time of the afternoon going over 20 points. Camille Thomas led the team with seven points in that stretch as Northwestern was 6-12 from the field, while adding four steals on the defensive side of the floor. The score was 51-30 over the Falcons through three quarters of play.
The Lady Rangers continued to extend the lead into the fourth quarter opening the final quarter with a 9-2 run over Friends. Craig led the team in that stretch with five points, while Tegan Jones added a three pointer for a 60-32 lead with 6:30 left in the game. Jailynn Schmaltz stretched the lead to thirty after two points taking a 70-39 lead over Friends, as Northwestern started the quarter on a 19-9 run. Keely Hussey finished off a three point play for Northwestern finishing a layup drawing the foul for a 73-42 victory over the Falcons.
Northwestern will stay home to open Great American Conference play on December 6th against Arkansas Tech and Harding on December 8th with a 5:30 tip-off on the 6th and a 1:00 PM tip-off on the 8th.
For the latest news and updates on NWOSU Athletics, follow @NWOSUAthletics on TWITTER or visit www.riderangersride.com.
