Alva, Okla. – Northwestern took on Southern Arkansas in Percefull Fieldhouse Saturday afternoon trying to win two straight. Southern Arkansas rallied behind their defense forcing force 22 turnovers this afternoon scoring 21 points off of turnovers leading them to a 68-63 victory Saturday afternoon over the Lady Rangers snapping their three game home winning streak.

The Lady Rangers received a big game from Bailey Brown, as she scored 28 points while bringing down 11 rebounds on the day for her sixth double-double on the season. The 28 points ties her career high in points for a game. Kalea King joined her in double figures with 16 points on the afternoon for her seventh consecutive game scoring in double figures. Kyleigh Leverich led the team in assists with 10 in the game.

After the Lady Rangers opened the scoring with three quick points the Muleriders answer with eight straight. Hillary Hurst helped give the Lady Rangers the lead toward the end of the quarter scoring all five of her points in the quarter, to give Northwestern the lead at the end of the quarter. A free throw from King sent the Lady Rangers into the second leading 20-14.

King opened the quarter with a layup giving the Lady Rangers the eight-point edge. However, the Muleriders would answer forcing three Lady Ranger turnovers in two minutes evening the score after a three from Erin Brinkley knotted the game at 24-24. The teams would trade baskets getting to a Northwestern 31-30 lead, but Southern Arkansas closed the quarter on an 8-2 run to take a five-point lead into the break.

Southern Arkansas led 38-33 over the Lady Rangers at halftime.

Brown and King tried to carry the Red and Black's comeback scoring all 15 of the Lady Rangers points in third quarter including 10 of those from Brown. They would help win that third quarter and take a one point lead 48-47 into the final quarter.

Muleriders opened the fourth on a 9-2 run and would never trail again. The score was tied 56-56 but Southern Arkansas answered with a 5-0 run creating enough separation to hold on to a five-point victory for the difference in the game 68-63 over the Lady Rangers Saturday afternoon.

Along with forcing 22 turnovers, Southern Arkansas used 12 three-pointers and 20 offensive rebounds that would create enough separation to hold off the Lady Rangers.

Desiree Morehead

Lady Ranger Bailey Brown steps into the Lady Mulerider defense, getting closer to the goal.

The loss drops the Lady Rangers to 10-10 on the season and 6-8 in Great American Conference play, and now trail the final playoff spot by two games to Arkansas-Monticello and Southern Arkansas who improves to 8-6 in conference play. The Lady Rangers will finish off the three game homestand with a matchup against Southern Nazarene Thursday evening at 7:30.