Alva Review-Courier -

ALVA – Northwestern Oklahoma State women's basketball team won their seventh straight game Saturday afternoon. After trailing by 12 and down by five heading into the fourth quarter, a 9-0 run in the fourth pushed the Lady Rangers in front before winning the quarter 28-14 and closing out the 64-55 victory.

The Lady Rangers improved to 15-1 on the season with a 7-1 conference mark on the year.

Northwestern was led in scoring by Faith Simpson with 19 points, nine rebounds, two steals and three blocks: all team highs. She was one of four double-figure scorers joined by Camille Thomas with 16, Nikya Orange 12 points and Carly Craig with 10 points.

First Half

Simpson got the scoring started with a layup inside for a 2-0 lead. It was a defensive battle to start the game as Henderson State held a 5-2 lead as Northwestern went three minutes without any points.

The Reddies maintained the lead throughout the quarter led by their defense, as the Lady Rangers trailed 11-6 through five minutes of action and Simpson had all six points. Craig stopped the next scoring drought for the Lady Rangers trailing 11-8. The Reddies closed the quarter on a 9-0 run taking a 20-8 lead over the Lady Rangers.

The second quarter Northwestern cut into the deficit started by three straight from the bench with Syncere Harrod having one and Orange with her first two of the game. Camille Thomas scored six straight for the Lady Rangers after an offensive rebound cutting the deficit down to six. A Reddies three pointer pushed their lead back to nine points at 28-19.

However the Lady Rangers had an answer right before the half as an Orange turnaround jump shot followed by a Craig three pointer her first of the game. After the Lady Rangers forced a turnover to get the ball back right before the half Thomas finished a layup in the final seconds and brought it back within four as Northwestern trailed 30-26 at halftime.

Second Half

Northwestern continued to cut into the deficit but Henderson State had an answer at the time after Simpson foul shots had it at 30-28 before the Reddies pushed their lead back to six at 38-32 halfway through the third quarter. As the low scoring game continued Northwestern's defense held the Reddies offense in check as after a couple turnovers and a layup by Orange for her eighth point of the game and the deficit back down to two points.

Henderson State maintained the lead through their third straight quarter as a layup off a Northwestern miss pushed their lead back to five at 41-36.

Ashley Farrar hit a three pointer to open the fourth quarter for a 44-36 Reddies lead but Simpson answered with a layup to start the Lady Ranger run. Northwestern went on a 9-0 run to take their first lead since the first quarter. Paige Scott's three pointer at the eight minute mark brought Northwestern back within one. Camille Thomas had the shot to push the Lady Rangers back in front. The Reddies answered back to regain the lead at 46-45.

The Lady Rangers then scored 12 straight points to take the lead for good and seal the victory. Simpson had the go-ahead layup for a 47-46 lead to start the run. Craig followed with a three point for the Lady Rangers largest lead of the game at the time. Simpson put Northwestern in front by double digits at 57-46 which was the largest lead of the afternoon. Nikya Orange scored four straight in the final minute of the game to help hold on for the victory at 64-55 over the Reddies for the seventh straight win.

The Lady Rangers were to be back in action on Thursday evening at Arkansas Tech in Russellville.