Alva Review-Courier -

SHAWNEE – Oklahoma Baptist used a 24-8 first quarter and held off Northwestern Oklahoma State from there for a 77-71 win Saturday in the Noble Complex.

Tasha Edge and Katy Custer both turned in double-doubles with Edge getting 17 points and 10 rebounds while Custer got 16 and 10.

OBU scored the first eight points, including three-pointers by Tasha Edge and Monae Smith and took off to a 20-2 lead.

The Rangers were able to trim the lead to 39-29 by halftime and tied the game at 67-67 with 3:17 to play in the fourth quarter. OBU fell behind for the first and only time with 1:49 left to play, but Edge buried a three-pointer for a 71-69 OBU lead with 1:22 to go.

The Lady Bison defense stiffened from there and allowed one field goal and forced two turnovers on the final five NWOSU possessions.

OBU made all six of its crunch time free throws with Autumn Avina getting four and Lexi Williams two.

"Tasha Edge knocked down a huge three that we needed and the free throws at the end were pretty big for us," said OBU Coach Casi Bays. "This team with everything they have been through just fight to the end."

Williams finished with 13 points, followed by Cameerah Graves with 12 and Avina with 11. Graves had eight assists and Avina.