The Northwestern Oklahoma State Lady Rangers faced Minnesota Duluth in the GAC-NSIC Challenge, with both teams battling in a thrilling game that ended in an 84-78 victory for the Bulldogs. Despite a determined effort and several standout performances, the Lady Rangers couldn't stave off a powerful fourth-quarter surge from the Bulldogs, who scored an impressive 37 points in the final period to clinch the win.

Payton Jones led Northwestern Oklahoma with 24 points, maintaining a flawless 12-for-12 record from the free-throw line and adding four rebounds. Carly Craig also made a significant impact, scoring 19 points while shooting 63.6% from the field and making three three-pointers. Kennedy Hight contributed 19 points as well, showing versatility on both ends of the court with four assists and four rebounds. Summya Adigun led the team in rebounding, pulling down five boards, while Camille Thomas chipped in with six rebounds.

The game saw an early lead by Minnesota Duluth, but Northwestern Oklahoma State battled back in the second and third quarters, eventually taking a five-point lead into the final quarter. However, Minnesota Duluth's offense came alive in the fourth, where they shot an impressive 71.4% from the field and drained five three-pointers to take control of the game.

Throughout the contest, Northwestern Oklahoma showed strength in free-throw shooting, hitting 78.8% of their attempts, and took advantage of second-chance opportunities, scoring 12 points off offensive rebounds. Minnesota Duluth had a slight edge in rebounding, finishing with 35 boards compared to Northwestern Oklahoma's 31, and their strong performance from beyond the arc—shooting 50% on three-pointers—proved critical in the final stretch.

With the loss, the Lady Rangers fall to a 1-1 record on the season and will look to Wednesday for the teams next matchup with a home game.