SHAWNEE, OKLAHOMA - Northwestern Oklahoma State traveled to Shawnee for a quarterfinals tournament game against Southwestern Oklahoma State. The Bulldogs won the game 65-61 over the Lady Rangers with a strong second half performance.

Northwestern is now 24-7 on the season following the loss Friday evening. Closing the season with the most wins in the DII era and joining the Great American Conference 

The Lady Rangers were led in scoring by Faith Simpson with 20 points along with a team high seven rebounds in the game. Payton Jones and Carly Craig each finished with eight points on the evening.

Carly Craig opened the scoring for the game as she drilled a three pointer off a steal by Josena Frame for the early 3-0 lead after a minute scoring drought. Mason Jones answered to even the score at three. After a quick 6-5 lead for the Bulldogs the Rangers started their run. With the Rangers leading 9-8 Northwestern went on a 9-0 run to take an 18-8 lead. Craig got an offensive rebound and put back the layup for two points followed by a three pointer for eight first quarter points. Nikaya Orange finished a layup to put the Rangers lead into double digits. Northwestern held a 18-10 lead at the end of the first quarter buzzer.

The second quarter Southwestern opened on a 7-0 run as the Lady Rangers were held scoreless for the opening four and a half minutes of the quarter before Faith Simpson took advantage of Talayah Thomas' offensive rebound with second chance points. Payton Jones followed off the break after a defensive stop but the Bulldogs continued to chip back into the game cutting the Lady Ranger lead down to two. Payton Jones answered back with a three point play, closing a layup and taking the contact before finishing the three point play. After Southwestern cut the Lady Ranger lead to one Josena Frame buried a three pointer for the answer right before the buzzer to push the Lady Ranger into halftime with a 30-26 lead.

Frame opened the scoring for the Lady Rangers in the second half to protect a four point lead but the Bulldogs were able to grab their first lead since the opening quarter on a three pointer by Libbi Zinn for the 33-32 lead with 33-32 left in the third. Simpson then pushed the Lady Rangers back in front with a three point play making the put back layup and completing the three point play at the line. The teams traded lead three other times before Southwestern took a three point lead and the Lady Rangers regained the lead following back to back possessions with points from Summya Adigun and Syncere Harrod. After a Faith Simpson layup in the final seconds of the third Northwestern trailed by one at 46-45 going to the fourth quarter.

Southwestern started the fourth by opening their largest lead of the game at 50-45 before Summya Adigun scored four straight to tie the game at 50-50 following two forced turnovers by the Lady Rangers. Simpson gave the Lady Rangers the lead back at 54-53 following a layup assisted by Adigun. Mason Jones then hit a three pointer while drawing a foul before completing the four point play taking a 58-56 lead. The Lady Rangers tied the game at 58-58 but a three pointer by Libbi Zinn but the Bulldogs in front for the last time as taking care of foul shots late helped seal their win over the Lady Rangers at 65-61.

Northwestern ends the season 24-7 on the year marking the most wins in the Division II era. Southwestern will play Harding Saturday evening in the semifinals game.

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