Alva, Okla. – Northwestern overcame Arkansas Tech 70-66 with a strong second half performance for the Lady Rangers. A late 15-6 scoring run by the Golden Suns made the game a close at the end. Nonetheless the Lady Rangers persisted by defeating the Golden Suns Thursday evening splitting the season series.

This win advances the Lady Rangers to a 10-9 conference record with a 14-11 overall record. Arkansas Tech falls to a 13-10 overall and 10-9 conference record.

Scout Frame led the Lady Rangers in points with 23 followed by Bailey Brown with 22 points and Carly Craig as the three Lady Rangers in double figures. S. Frame and Kinsey Neiderer led with 9 rebounds for the team. Carly Craig led the team in assists with 7 and Josena Frame led in steals with 2.

First Quarter

The Lady Rangers were the first to strike on their home court with a layup from Scout Frame. The Golden Suns quickly responded with a jumper evening the score. Carley Craig and Kes Reeves contributed a layup each to put The Lady Rangers at an early lead. Kinsey Neiderer and Bailey Brown extended Northwestern's lead with two more layups. The Golden Suns responded with a freethrow and a jumper. Craig fired back with a jumper from the foul line followed by a Techthree point shot. The Golden Suns answered back with a three pointer to close the gap. The Rangers led 20-14 going into the second quarter.

Second Quarter

Arkansas Tech was the first to strike out of the quarter break with two free throws. Brown responded with a layup to keep the Lady Ranger in front at a timeout. The Golden Suns responded with a three pointer and a jumper. S. Frame contributed a layup. Another three-pointer from Arkansas Tech tied the game at 24-24 halfway through the quarter. The Lady Rangers retook the lead with two free throws from S. Frame. The Golden Suns would respond with a floater from the paint. S. Frame drilled two more free throws for Northwestern. Brown fired off a three pointer to further the Lady Ranger lead. The Golden Suns fired off a jumper in the last second of play leaving them trailing 31-28 at half. S. Frame led the Lady Rangers with 11 points. Neiderer led in rebounds with 6. Craig led with 3 assists.

Third Quarter

An early three pointer from the Golden Suns quickly tied the game at 31-31 out of halftime. They knocked down another jumper to push Arkansas Tech in front, gaining the lead early into the third. The Golden Suns contributed another layup to their 7-0 run. S. Frame ended their run with a contested layup off the backboard. Brown finished off two free throws for Northwestern to bring the game to a tie once more at 35-35. Neither team would score for the next three minutes as both struggled to take the lead. Craig broke the silence for The Lady Rangers with a jumper putting the Red-and-Black up 37-35. Arkansas Tech quickly responded with a layup. Off the bench, Andi Pierce contributed a free throw that would jumpstart a 7-0 for the Lady Rangers. The Golden Suns ended the run with a hook shot. Northwestern held onto their lead 45-41 going into the final quarter.

Fourth Quarter

Brown extended The Lady Ranger lead coming out of the break with a three point play. Arkansas Tech responded with two free throws. Off the bench, Josena Frame responded with a pump fake leading to a jumper at the elbow. S. Frame built off the Lady Ranger momentum with a layup. Brown contributed two free throws to further Northwestern's lead. Arkansas Tech responded with a layup. S. Frame fired off two more consecutive layups one off a Tech turnover for a fastbreak to bring the Lady Rangers to a 14 point lead 59-45 with four minutes remaining.

The Golden Suns would respond with a three pointer. S. Frame answered back with a three point play. Arkansas Tech fired back with another three pointer and two free throws to close the gap. S. Frame contributed a free throw. Arkansas Tech would outscore The Lady Rangers 12-1 in the last minutes of play closing the gap to 65-60. Neiderer contributed two free throws. Arkansas Tech responded with another three pointer. Craig contributed two more free throws for Northwestern. The Golden Suns responded with another three pointer to make it a two point game. Brown sank two free throws to lead Northwestern to their victory over The Golden Suns 70-66. As the Lady Rangers were able to seal the win at the foul line.