FORT SMITH, ARKANSAS - The Great American Conference hosted the annual awards banquet on Wednesday evening to start the conference tournament week. The first games will be played on Thursday and Friday for the quarterfinals.

Northwestern had three players earn conference accolades: Carly Craig, Payton Jones, and Kira Bass all earned honorable mention Wednesday evening. 

Craig finished the season number one in three-point percentage and second in the conference in total three-pointers with 62. She finished fifth in the conference in steals with 51. In the season, she finished averaging 10.6 points per game, 3.5 rebounds per game, and 3.9 assists per game. Craig shot 36.2% from three for the season. Craig finished second in the conference in assists per game and total. 

Payton Jones was the team's leading scorer for the season at 12.7 points per game this season while averaging 4.8 rebounds and 33 assists. Jones added 37 steals and 13 blocks defensively for the Rangers. 

Kira Bass led the Rangers on defense with 24 blocks on the season while adding 34 steals on the year. Bass was top 10 in blocks with 24 which was eighth in the conference. Bass averaged 9.1 points per game and 6.3 rebounds per game. She was second in the conference in offensive rebounds per game at 3.4.

Northwestern had 12 players earn Academic honor roll in Carly Craig, Kira Bass, Keely Hussey, Payton Jones, Tegan Jones, Chelsea Lindsey, Lilly Mahy, Ella Porter, Mattie Rich, Jailynn Schmaltz, Jaida Shipp, and Camille Thomas.

Summya Adigun earned the elite scholar athlete award for the Lady Rangers one of six players in the conference to achieve this. 

Northwestern plays in the quarterfinals on Friday afternoon with tip-off scheduled for 2:15 PM against Oklahoma Baptist in Fort Smith, Arkansas.