ALVA, OKLAHOMA- The Lady Rangers closed out the team's fourth straight victory and the 10th straight win at home this season for a perfect 10-0 home record. Northwestern took over the game toward the end of the first quarter into the second with a 17-0 run turning a three point deficit into a 14 point lead and never trailed again.
The Rangers improved to 19-3 on the season with an 11-3 conference record following the win.
The Lady Rangers were led by Faith Simpson's 30 points as one of two double figure scorers joined by Payton Jones with 13 points.
Arkansas Monticello was the first on the board in the game with a layup following an offensive rebound put back to grab the lead. After Summya Adigun tied the game and six Arkansas Monticello answered with a three pointer to grab a 9-6 lead but the Rangers had the answer. Carly Craig drilled her first three of the game which tied the game and jump started a 17-0 run. The final three minutes of the quarter were all Northwestern turning the three point deficit into a 10 point end of the quarter lead. Camille Thomas scored six straight helping Northwestern to the 19-9 lead at the end of the first.
Lady Rangers defense continued to cause problems to the Arkansas Monticello offense as after a two minute scoring drought to start the quarter the Lady Rangers then scored the first five of the quarter to take a 23-9 lead, all points coming from Faith Simpson. Nikya Orange helped the Lady Rangers continue to maintain the 14 point lead scoring two of her eight points. Tegan Jones and Summya Adigun then helped open a 17 point lead, the largest at that point in the game. Faith Simpson stretched the lead to 20 at 36-16 following a layup as Northwestern went into the halftime break with a 36-18 lead over the Blossoms.
Payton Jones made sure to start the third quarter where the first half ended with all momentum on the Lady Rangers side scoring and adding on a foul shot to complete the three point play. Arkansas Monticello tried to chip back into the game getting as close as 15 halfway through the quarter but Nikya Orange answered, stretching it back to 19 points. Payton Jones taking advantage at the line was able to help stretch the lead to 25 points before the quarter ended but Monticello hit a shot in the final seconds as Northwestern held a 22 point advantage going into the final quarter.
The fourth quarter the Lady Rangers continued to keep the Blossoms at length as the two teams were trading baskets as Northwestern held a 25 point advantage following a couple of free throws from Paige Scott and Josena Frame.Monticello then scored eight straight which had the Ranger lead at 62-45 before Payton Jones answered with a three point play and stretched it back to 65-45. Talayah Thomas traded points with Ella Masek in the final minute of the game to give the game its final score at 75-52 and earn the 23 point victory over Arkansas Monticello.
Northwestern will be on the road next with two games in Arkansas starting with Henderson State on Thursday before closing the trip out with Ouachita Baptist Saturday at 1:00 PM.
For the latest news and updates on NWOSU Athletics, follow @NWOSUAthletics on TWITTER or visit www.riderangersride.com.
