East OKC News

After delays in Monticello Thursday the Lady Rangers closed out their second of the back-to-back Friday and Saturday games. After dropping a game against the Blossoms, Northwestern was looking to find victory before leaving Magnolia. The first half was played extremely well by the Lady Rangers as they found a scoring rhythm at first, but Lady Muleriders overcame the halftime deficit in the second half. 

Camille Thomas dominated the team's scoring today with a total of 21 points, her tenth game this season with double digit points. Her highest scoring game this season was against Arkansas Monticello scoring 26 against the Blossoms. Faith Simpson secured double-doubles of 16 points and 11 rebounds, two offensive and nine defensive. This is her fourth double-double of the season.

 The Lady Rangers are now 4-11 in the conference and 8-11 overall this season.  

 First Quarter 

Nikya Orange opened the game with a layup. Josena Frame passed the ball around the key to Carly Craig who shot her first three-pointer of the night and sank it, putting the Lady Rangers up 5-3. Camille Thomas's first basket of the day was a turn-around jump shot while drawing a foul from the shot. This three point play kept them in the lead by three. Craig found Faith Simpson open deep in the post and was able to assist on the layup. C. Thomas then did the exact same thing for Simpson just thirty seconds later, making the score 12-5 for NWOSU. Simpson shot outside of the post area and was able to hit a mid-range jumper with 3:18 left in the quarter. Paige Scott came off the bench and dribbled to get the ball back down on the block for Simpson to get her second basket off the glass. The Score at the end of the quarter resulted in a one-point lead by SAU of 16-17 after the opponent beat the buzzer with a three-pointer.  

Second quarter

Northwestern began the second quarter with a drive made by C. Thomas putting them up one 18-17 on Southern Arkansas. Craig shoots, beating the shot clock and C. Thomas gets another layup the possession after. Orange is able to shoot over defense on the block with a pass made by Paige Scott. A lob from T. Thomas at the top of the key is made to Simpson in the lane for an open floater tying the score 26-26. T. Thomas is able to draw a foul under the basket and bring the Lady Rangers into the lead after making both shots. T. Thomas passed the ball to C. Thomas as she flashes high and scores a jump shot. Score at the half was 30-28 for the Lady Ranger in front.

Third quarter 

Frame found Orange in the middle of the floor for an assisted jump shot returning from the break. Craig finds C. Thomas in the post and lobs it, making a contested basket off the glass. Simpson drew the foul and scored two points for the Lady Rangers at the 4:58 mark. T. Thomas finds herself in an open lane to drive to the basket. The quarter ended with a score of 38-54 Lady Muleriders. 

 Fourth Quarter 

 Shortly into the last quarter C. Thomas was fouled and earned the Lady Rangers two free shots. They went on a scoring run as Simpson was able to get another basket made down in the paint with an assist made by Craig. C. Thomas draws another foul scoring two more points behind the line at the 8:23 mark. T. Thomas claps back to the defense after they scored a layup by scoring one herself. C. Thomas gets another driving basket towards the goal, adding two more points to Northwestern's score of 48 to Southern Arkansas's 60. Simpson hits a step-back shot on the floor immediately after returning from the bench. Just a minute later she passes the ball off to Orange for an assisted block shot. With 41 seconds left in the game C. Thomas is fouled and sinks two more free throws, then ends the game with the last basket. Score ended with the Lady Muleriders at 68-56.

Original source can be found here