DURANT, OKLAHOMA - Northwestern Oklahoma State Women's Basketball traveled on the road for the first time since the Cameron game. The Lady Rangers fell in overtime after coming back to tie the game after trailing by 10 points in the second half. Southeastern used a run in overtime to build a nine point lead and a 77-68 victory.

Northwestern falls to 5-5 on the season with a 2-2 conference record on the season following the loss. The Lady Rangers are now 0-3 on the road.

Payton Jones led the team with 20 points, one of three players in double figures joined by Tegan Jones with 17 points hitting 3-three pointers. Kira Bass finished with 10 points and eight rebounds. Camille Thomas had a team high 11 rebounds.

The two teams came out strong defensively to start the game as the Lady Rangers held the Storm to just 1-5 shooting holding onto a 3-2 lead. The Lady Rangers forced three turnovers in the opening minute of the game before Payton Jones opened the scoring with a three pointer play drawing contact on the jump shot for the 3-0 lead. Stinchcomb was the first to score for Southeastern. Payton Jones scored the first five points for the Lady Rangers who led 5-2 halfway through the opening quarter. Kira Bass kept the Lady Rangers out in front by three, controlling the rebounding with an offensive rebound put back layup, an area the team controlled in the opening half with 10 offensive rebounds. Southeastern hit a three pointer by Holli Lindley, the Savage Storm's first lead of the game. Camille Thomas regained the lead for the Lady Rangers followed by a three pointer from Carly Craig for a 17-13 lead before Eryn Dolan hit a three right before the first quarter buzzer.

After a minute of scoreless play in the second quarter Kobiske pushed the Storm in front with a layup for a 18-17 lead.Jaida Shipp pushed the Rangers in front with two of her nine first half points. Jaida Shipp scored three straight for Northwestern taking a 26-21 lead. Southeastern scored five straight for a 26-26 tie game with 2:51 left in the opening half. Tegan Jones helped the Rangers take a small lead scoring seven straight following a three pointer to push the Lady Rangers in front 33-29. Northwestern was leading 35-32 before Southeastern buried a three pointer in the final minute of the half to tie the game at 35-35 into the halftime break.

Warden hit her third three pointer of the game for 14 points following the start to the second half for a 38-35 lead over the Rangers. Southeastern built a five point lead before Stevie Stinchcomb hit a three point for a 47-39 lead, continuing a fast start for the home team. Their lead hit double digits for the first time at 49-39 with three minutes remaining in the third quarter. Lady Rangers were able to cut into the deficit right before the end of the quarter at 51-46 heading into the final quarter.

Payton Jones continued the run for the Lady Rangers with the first points of the quarter at 51-48. Tegan Jones and Kira Bass hit layups to give Northwestern the first lead since the second quarter. Tegan Jones drilled a three pointer to take a four point lead. Warden then hit back to back three pointers to regain the lead for Southeastern at 59-57. Payton Jones hit a mid-range jump shot, locking the game at 59-59. The teams traded three pointers as Carly Craig hit the second one for a 62-62 game with two minutes left. Tegan Jones had a steal in the final seconds to force the game into overtime at 62-62.

Payton Jones started overtime with a layup for the early lead, however Southeastern drilled a three pointer to answer for the 65-64 lead. Southeastern built a five point lead at 71-66. The Savage Storm closed out the victory over the Lady Rangers at 77-68.

Northwestern Oklahoma State has one final game in the 2024 calendar year against East Central on Thursday December 19th at 5:30 PM. 

For the latest news and updates on NWOSU Athletics, follow @NWOSUAthletics on TWITTER or visit www.riderangersride.com.