RUSSELLVILLE, ARKANSAS - Northwestern Oklahoma State was on the road Saturday afternoon against Arkansas Tech as the Golden Suns used a big second quarter to take a double-digit lead into halftime before closing out the 64-51 win. 

The Rangers fall to 10-10 on the season with a 7-7 conference record while Arkansas Tech goes to 4-14 on the year and a 2-12 conference record. 

Kira Bass led the team with 13 points and Camille Thomas with 11 points, the two Rangers in double figures. Bass had 7 rebounds for a team-high, and Carly Craig led the team with five assists. 

Arkansas Tech struck first with their first of 12 three-pointers in the game. Arkansas Tech started the game on a 10-4 run hitting two three-pointers. Craig was the first one to strike for the Lady Rangers with a jump shot before Arkansas Tech went on their run. Off the bench, Lily Mahy drilled a three-pointer to bring the Rangers within three at 10-7. Lady Rangers trailed 12-9 after the first quarter Bass scored two points before a three-minute scoring drought to close the quarter. 

In the second quarter, Arkansas Tech opened a 10-point lead after starting the quarter on a 7-0 run after Wyrick started the quarter with a three-pointer. Craig ended the Golden Suns run with a three-pointer but Arkansas Tech hit one to answer. Arkansas Tech went on an 8-0 run to extend their lead to 31-13. Camille Thomas ended the run off an offensive rebound putback layup. Arkansas Tech led over the Lady Rangers by 15 at the break with a 34-19 lead.

In the third quarter, Arkansas  Tech struck first with back-to-back layups to push their lead back to 19 before Kira Bass scored four straight both on offensive rebounds as the Lady Rangers tried to take advantage of second-chance points. Camille Thomas continued to help Northwestern chip into the deficit as a three-point play. After the Lady Rangers had the deficit down to 14 following the three-point play, the Golden Suns answered back with a 7-0 run pushing their lead back to 23 points, their largest of the game. Their lead was 18 at the end of the third quarter as the Golden Suns had a 52-34 advantage over Northwestern.

The Golden Suns in the fourth quarter led by 20 until the Rangers struck for six quick points as Lily Mahy earned two at the line followed by a Bass steal leading to fast break points for Tegan Jones. The Lady Rangers' run continued cutting the deficit in half at 56-46 but after a timeout, Arkansas Tech scored six straight going back up by 16 points. Craig scored on the fast break to end the Arkansas Tech run, followed by a Lily Mahy three-pointer to give the game the final score of 64-51 in favor of Arkansas Tech.

Northwestern will return home for two straight home games the first against Henderson State on February 6th before the Hall of Fame game on February 8th at 1:00 PM against Ouachita Baptist.

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