ALVA, OKLAHOMA - After closing conference play against Friends the Lady Rangers open the Great American Conference portion of the schedule on Thursday against Arkansas Tech. The Golden Suns (2-2,0-0) enter Thursday against the Lady Rangers (3-3, 0-0). Arkansas Tech is coming off a loss as the Lady Rangers topped Friends on Saturday coming into conference with a win.

The two teams in the series history have split the season series for the last four straight seasons, with a 4-4 record overall with three of those wins coming in Alva. The overalls series favors the Golden Suns leading 12-4. The Lady Rangers won the last meeting on February 24th in a 67-64 Northwestern victory. 

Last time out the Lady Rangers won with a 31 point margin behind 14 points from Carly Craig, one of four double figure scorers, which included Camille Thomas, Payton Jones and Tegan Jones. 

This season the Lady Rangers have been led by Payton Jones averaging 15.5 points per game the team high joined by Kennedy Hight with 12.8, Kira Bass and Carly Craig each with 10 a game in double figures. Hight leads the team with 27 assists through the six games followed by Craig with 22. 

On the defensive side of the ball, Camille Thomas leads the team with 14 steals on the season as a team high and averages a high of 5.7 rebounds per game. Kira Bass leads the team with four blocks on the year while adding 12 steals.

ARKANSAS TECH:

Arkansas Tech enters play coming off a 20 point loss to Pittsburg State 75-55 and a win over Delta State 58-43 in their last two games. The Golden Suns are 1-1 on the road this season.

Arkansas Tech is led by Olivia Jones with 12.5 points per game, one of two double figure scores joined by Hayleigh Wyrick with an average of 11.8 per game. The Golden Suns have a wide spread of players in assist led by Kamryn Sutterfield with eight and Jones with seven before four all tied at five. 

Julie Wagner is the team leader in rebounds at 6.5 per game and 26 total on the year. AbbiGrace Cunnigham, and Shelly Butler each averaged 6.0 for the year. Wyrick is the team lead in steals with five, with Butler and Wagner each with four blocks on the season. 

STAT OF THE GAME:

In the last 10 conference openers the Lady Rangers enter with a 6-4 record in those 10 games winning the last two openers, while Arkansas Tech is 9-1 winning seven straight conference openers heading into Thursday nights conference opener. 

FOLLOW LIVE:

watch:https://nwosu.tv/

Stats: https://riderangersride.com/sidearmstats/wbball/summary

Radio: https://www.alvaradio.com/

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