ALVA, OKLAHOMA - Northwestern Oklahoma State Lady Rangers closed out the season series with the Golden Suns Saturday afternoon. Northwestern in a back and forth game closed out the 67-64 victory after a wide balanced attack featuring nine different scorers led to win on an afternoon honoring six seniors before the game.
The win improves the Lady Rangers to 23-5 on the season with a 15-5 conference record while taking their 13th straight game at home this season.Â
Faith Simpson was the only Lady Ranger in double figures but a wide spread out scoring featuring six with at least eight points and nine in total who scored. Tegan Jones led the team with four steals in the win.
Arkansas Tech struck first with the game's first points on a layup from Maisa Marcal for the early 2-0 lead. The Lady Rangers went the first four minutes of the game without a FG before Nikya Orange hit the first for Northwestern on a layup from Nikya Orange assisted by Craig. With Northwestern trailing 13-6 Nikya Orange scored six straight to cut the deficit to one at 13-12. Josena Frame ended a late Arkansas Tech run to close the quarter with two points to bring the Lady Rangers back within one possession at the end of the quarter trailing 17-14.Â
Early in the second quarter Syncere Harrod gave the Lady Rangers their first lead of the game with a jump shot and her first points for an 18-17 lead. Harrod scored the Rangers next eight points of the game for a 24-22 lead before Arkansas Tech got back on the board. Jordyn Rollins hit a three pointer with just over three minutes left in the quarter to take the lead back at 28-26. Just under two minutes left after the Rangers forced three straight turnovers, a three pointer by Paige Scott pushed the Rangers back in front at 29-28. Northwestern went into halftime trailing 32-31Â
Arkansas Tech struck first in the second half but Faith Simpson later evened the score at 37-37 as the two teams continued to go back and forth. Josena Frame then pushed the Lady Rangers in front at 41-39 followed by Faith Simpson for a four point lead about halfway through the third. Tegan Jones kept the Lady Rangers out in front with two more points and a 45-41 lead. Arkansas Tech scored four points to answer and tie the game at 45-45 with 2:17 left in the third quarter. The Golden Suns down two hit a last second closing quarter shot to tie the game at 49-49 after three quarters.Â
Tech opened the fourth and final quarter with a three pointer by Tegan Jones and Faith Simpson answered with back to back shots for Northwestern to retake the lead at 53-52. The game was tied at 56-56 before a Tech free throw which was followed by a Summya Adigun three point play finishing a layup while taking the contact and finishing the three point play at the line. Northwestern never lost the lead again after Adigun's points. The closest Tech got again was one at 60-59 but Simpson answered with four straight points. Northwestern extended the lead to 67-61. Tech hit a final second three pointer but ultimately the Rangers won 67-64 Saturday afternoon.Â
Overall the game featured eight ties and 11 lead changes in the win over Arkansas Tech. Northwestern will be back in action on Thursday evening against Southern Nazarene for the final home game of the season.
