ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – The Northwestern Oklahoma State women's basketball team defeated Henderson State, 73-59, on Thursday night. The victory moves the Lady Rangers to 15-5 on the season, and 10-4 in Great American Conference play.
Northwestern got off to a strong start, as the Lady Rangers went on an 8-0 run midway through the first quarter behind two three-pointers from
Catyn Graham and a bucket from
Kira Bass to go up 12-4. Bass scored six more points in the quarter for a 10-point first quarter to keep the Lady Rangers up by eight, 20-12, at the end of the quarter.
Henderson State opened the second quarter on a 12-2 run to take its first lead of the game with 6:46 remaining in the half. The Lady Rangers and Reddies traded blows for the remainder of the quarter, with
Jaida Shipp scoring the last seven points of the quarter to give Northwestern a 33-32 lead going into the half.
Shipp continued to dominate early in the third quarter, as she knocked down the first shot of the second half before blocking a shot on the other end before scoring again a minute later to give Northwestern a 39-38 lead. After a Henderson State free throw tied the game at 39-39 with 7:27 to go in the quarter, the Lady Rangers shut the Reddies down on an 18-3 run to close out the quarter.
Camille Pritchard sparked the run with four straight points, with Bass, Shipp, Graham, and
Kennedy Hight all helping build the lead to 57-42.
The Lady Ranger lead continued to balloon in the fourth quarter, as Pritchard made a pair of free throws to extend Northwestern's lead to 18 midway through the quarter. The Reddies tried to rally, but the Lady Ranger defense continued to shut Henderson State down to win, 73-59.
Bass led the Lady Rangers in scoring and rebounds with 22 points and a season-high 15 boards for her ninth double-double of the season.
Conley Cayot led in assists with three.
The Lady Rangers will be back in action on Feb. 7, as they stay in Arkadelphia to take on Ouachita Baptist at 1 p.m.
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