Northwestern Oklahoma State University head women’s basketball coach Milburn Barton recently signed junior college transfer Ashley Johnson of Lancaster, Tex. to play basketball during the 2008-09 season.

Johnson, a transfer from Paris (Tex.) Junior College, averaged 7.1 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. While as a guard, she also averaged a steal and nearly a block per contest.

Northwestern Oklahoma State University head women’s basketball coach Milburn Barton announced the signing of Keindra Scott to a basketball letter of intent. Scott, a transfer from Cameron University, will play her final year of collegiate eligibility at Northwestern for the 2008-09 season.

During her junior season at Cameron, the 6-2 post was third on the team in scoring 12 points per game. Originally from Houston, Smith shot 38.7 percent from the field while playing in 14 games. Scott also averaged 4.9 rebounds and was second on the team in blocked shots with 18.

“Keindra’s size and experience will be an asset on the inside, both on the offensive and defensive end”, remarked Barton. “Her shot-blocking and rebounding ability is outstanding.”

Milburn Barton, the Northwestern Oklahoma State University head women’s basketball coach, signed Caitlin Smith of Garden City to a letter of intent to play for the Lady Rangers in the upcoming 2008-09 season.

Smith, a 5-7 guard, played four seasons at Garden City High School and will graduate this May. She was a three-year starter and letterman and placed herself among the best in school history with her playing ability.

Caitlin averaged 9.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.8 steals per game during her senior season. She ranks highly in several career statistical categories including: first in assists (193), second in rebounds (387), third in games played (65), fourth in steals (149) and seventh in points (539).

Smith was a three-time all-conference performer and two-time all-area selection. She was a member of the Academic All-State Team and was the team’s Most Valuable Player during her junior and senior years.

Autumn Klugh (middle) signs a Letter of Intent to play women's basketball at Northwestern . She is seated with her parents, Dennis and Debbie, along with Fort Cobb head coach James Don Biddy (left), sister Adalynn and head coach Milburn Barton (right).

Milburn Barton, Northwestern Oklahoma State University women’s basketball head coach, announced the recent signing of Autumn Klugh of Fort Cobb. Cobb will join the Lady Ranger basketball team for the upcoming 2008-09 season.

A 5-7 guard, Klugh helped Fort Cobb High School to a state-runner up finish this past season. A member of the Daily Oklahoman Super Five team and named the Daily Oklahoman’s Class A State Tournament MVP, Klugh shot 49 percent (215/440) from the floor and was 40 percent (92/230) from three-point range, as she scored 679 points last season. She averaged 5.8 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 4.1 assists per game. In her four-year career, Klugh amassed 2,318 points, averaging 19.3 points per game.

Klugh earned numerous awards in her four seasons at Fort Cobb. She was named to the Oklahoma Girls Basketball Coaches Association and Oklahoma Coaches Association All-State teams. Klugh was chosen for a variety of all-tournament teams throughout her four years.

Autumn was also recognized on the academic side, being named to the Oklahoma and National Honor Societies, the Superintendent’s Honor Roll, while being the class Valedictorian.

Rachel Wilczek (middle) signs a Letter of Intent to play basketball at Northwestern . She is seated with her parents, Stanley and Cindy, along with head coach Milburn Barton (left) and Lomega High School coach Kevin Lewellan.

Northwestern Oklahoma State University women’s basketball head coach Milburn Barton announced the addition of Rachel Wilczek of Loyal who signed a Sooner Athletic Conference Letter of Intent, to join the Lady Ranger basketball team for the upcoming 2008-09 season.

Wilczek, a 5-8 guard, helped Lomega High School to back-to-back Class B state titles and aided the Raiders to a 29-3 overall record this past season. Wilczek averaged 17.2 points per game as she scored 532 points on the season. She shot 50 percent (98/196) from the floor and an even better 51 percent (79/156) from three point range. Wilczek led the team in several other categories including a 77.2 free throw percentage and averaged 5.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 3.2 steals per game.

Throughout her high school career, Wilczek was very decorated, earning countless awards and accolades. Wilczek, the class Valedictorian and voted a Daily Oklahoman top 5 Class B player, was named to several all-state teams. She was named Oklahoma Girls Basketball Coaches’ Association All-State, Oklahoma Coaches’ Association Basketball All-State, and Oklahoma Girls Basketball Coaches’ Association Academic All-State.

“Rachel has a strong history of winning as does Lomega High School,” remarked Barton. “She is an excellent outside shooter and will be an asset to our team.”

Wilczek was also the Enid News and Eagle Player of the Year, a K101 All-Star Player and was a member of the Oklahoma Girls Basketball All-Region Team. She was listed on numerous all-tournament teams including: the Daily Oklahoman Basketball State Tournament First-Team, Coaches Aid Basketball State Tournament First-Team, Cherokee Strip, and Canton all-tournament teams, as well as being the Cherokee Strip Conference Most Valuable Player and the Tulsa World’s Basketball State Tournament MVP.

D'Shanna Butler led NWOSU with 27 points over WBU in the SAC Tournament.

Edmond, Okla. – Despite outshooting their opposition and holding a 35-27 halftime lead, the Lady Ranger basketball team suffered a 67-63 to Wayland Baptist University, but not without a hard fought battle, in the first round of the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament played at Oklahoma Christian. Northwestern entered the game as the 10 seed, while Wayland Baptist came into the came as the seventh seed.

D’Shanna Butler’s 26 points wasn’t enough to get the Lady Rangers by the Flying Queens as WBU hit 24-of-31 free throws stemming from 21 Northwestern fouls. Butler finished hitting 9-of-20 from the floor, 7-of-8 from the charity stripe and added a three, while also leading the Lady Rangers in rebounds with six.

Six Lady Rangers scored on the night, as Emily Gilbert hit eight field goals for 16 points to follow Butler. McKenzie Malloy posted nine points on three three-pointers and Tara Baker hit a pair of threes to finish with six points. Claudia Vazquez had four points and Evelyn Oliveira rounded out the scoring with two points.

Northwestern started off in a 4-0 hole, but climbed out to lead 24-18 with ten minutes left. WBU used a 9-3 run to knot the game up at 27-27, before the Lady Rangers scored the last eight points going into halftime.

Butler was responsible for 17 of Northwestern’s 35 first half points.

In the second half, Wayland Baptist came back from a 49-39 deficit to tie the game at 51 all with a 12-2 surge.

After the game went through two more ties, WBU pulled away 65-60, but not before Tara Baker hit her third trey of the game to pull NWOSU within a bucket. The Flying Queens hit their free throws to put the game out of reach in the closing seconds.

The Lady Rangers hit 25-of-60 shots from the floor and 6-of-13 from three. WBU had 17 more points from the free throw line than NWOSU did, hitting 7-of-10 attempts.

Wayland Baptist had a trio combining for 54 points, including Vanita Wright’s 23 points, 21 points from Megan Coats and 10 from Anastasia Okolo.

Northwestern finished the season at 7-22 overall and at 5-17 in the Sooner Athletic Conference. The Lady Rangers will have to replace three seniors: Tara Baker, McKenzie Malloy and Evelyn Oliveira.

D'Shanna Butler was named to the SAC's second-team all-conference.

Five Lady Ranger basketball players graced the list of 2007-08 Sooner Athletic Conference teams announced from the conference office on Monday, March 3.

D’Shanna Butler, a 5-7 junior guard from Broken Bow, was one of seven players to be chosen for the all-conference second-team. Butler leads Northwestern in scoring with 304 points and averages 13.2 per game. She currently is shooting 39 percent from the field and leads NWOSU in assists (50) and steals (53). Butler has scored 767 career points in three seasons.

Northwestern also placed four student athletes on the Academic All-Conference team. Seniors Tara Baker, Emily Gilbert, and McKenzie Malloy joined junior Kacee McCulley on the list.

Northwestern Oklahoma State’s Ranger and Lady Ranger basketball teams will enter the first round of the 2008 Sooner Athletic Conference Basketball Tournament on Wednesday, March 5 at Oklahoma Christian University in Edmond.

The Rangers (17-10, 13-9), the fifth seed, play the opening game of the tournament at 9:30 a.m. against 12^th-seeded John Brown (Ark.) University (10-20, 3-19). Northwestern swept the Golden Eagles in the two-game series this season, downing them 74-46 in Alva on January 17 and 72-49 in Siloam Springs, Ark.

The Northwestern women (7-21, 5-17) are the tenth seed and will meet seventh-seeded Wayland Baptist (Tex.) University (14-16, 9-13) in the 8 p.m. game on Wednesday. Wayland Baptist defeated the Lady Rangers in both meetings this season. The Flying Queens won 79-42 in Plainview, Texas and 71-61 at Alva.

4:30 p.m. – (5) Oklahoma Christian vs. (12) St. Gregory’s

6:15 p.m. – (8) Rogers State vs. (9) John Brown

8 p.m. – (7) Wayland Baptist vs. (10) Northwestern

9:45 p.m. – (6) Science & Arts Oklahoma vs. (11) Mid-America Christian

2 p.m. – (2) Oklahoma Baptist vs. WBU/NWOSU Winner

4 p.m. – (1) Oklahoma City vs. RSU/JBU winner

6 p.m. – (4) Lubbock Christian vs. OC/SGU winner

8 p.m. – (3) Southern Nazarene vs. USAO/MACU winner

6 p.m. – LCU/OC/SGU winner vs. OCU/RSU/JBU winner

8 p.m. – OBU/WBU/NWOSU winner vs. SNU/USAO/MACU winner

7:30 p.m. - Championship

Tara Baker cans one of two three-pointers while scoring eight points against Oklahoma City.

ALVA, Okla. – No. 5 Oklahoma City University shot down Northwestern’s Lady Rangers in the final home game of the season, defeating NWOSU 73-42 at Percefull Fieldhouse. The loss dropped Northwestern to 6-21 overall and put them in a tie for 11^th in the Sooner Athletic Conference with Mid-America Christian at 4-17.

Oklahoma City held the lead all but during one tie, as the Stars held as much as a 24 point lead in the first half.

Northwestern went on a 5-2 run to start the second half and trimmed the lead down to 13, but OCU quickly extended their lead to 20 or more points over the final 11 and a half minutes.

The Lady Rangers were without a double figure scorer, as Emily Gilbert had a high of nine points. Tara Baker followed with eight points,

Emily Gilbert had nine points over OCU.

 while Claudia Vazquez scored seven. Baker and McKenzie Malloy, who finished with six points, both hit two three-point buckets.

Turnovers proved to be costly for Northwestern, as the Lady Rangers coughed the ball up 26 times, resulting in 24 points for the opposition.

NWOSU shot 25 percent and hit 4-of-20 from beyond the arch, as the Stars shot 44 percent from the field
Oklahoma City’s Laura Duncan scored 15 to pace the Stars, while Zanita Johnson added 14.

Northwestern (6-21, 4-17) plays its final regular season game at Mid-American Christian (8-23, 4-17) on Saturday, March 1. The Lady Rangers will enter the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament on Wednesday, March 5. Brackets will be released on Sunday, March, 2.

Students, alumni and other fans will have the opportunity to give their Northwestern Oklahoma State University basketball teams a little extra home-court advantage during games Feb. 28 at Percefull Fieldhouse.

Northwestern plans White Out 2008 that night as the Rangers renew their rivalry with Oklahoma City University. The women’s game begins at 6 p.m., with the men’s game to follow.

“We hope to have a very large crowd that night,” said Bob Battisti, athletic director. “Our fan support means a great deal to our players and coaches. Percefull Fieldhouse has earned the reputation as one of toughest places to play in the Sooner Athletic Conference. We need to reinforce that reputation against OCU.”

Several promotions are planned for that night, including a give away of specially-designed white t-shirts to the first 500 fans through the door. Fans will be asked to wear the t-shirts during the games.

Campus clubs and organizations, along with individual students, will be eligible to win cash and prizes, but there is a catch. To be eligible to win, students must pick up a special white out ticket upon entering the gym, be seated by 6:30 p.m., and be wearing either the special white out t-shirt or other white shirt. Ticket distribution will end at 6:30 and the t-shirts will be given away until they are gone.

Clubs and organizations will be challenged to organize their groups in a spirit competition with the winner receiving $250. Participants will be judged on their team spirit, including signs, cheers, costumes and originality. A contest for the most spirited student also will be held with the winner receiving $100.

All individual students attending the game will be eligible to compete in drawings for prizes, but only with their special white out ticket.

Kacee McCulley scored a persona best 16 points against John Brown. She was one of three Lady Rangers to hit four three-pointers in the game.

SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. – The Northwestern Oklahoma State Lady Ranger basketball team came away empty handed in Siloam Springs, Ark., as Northwestern lost 78-63 to John Brown. The Lady Rangers dropped to 6-20 overall and to 4-16 in the Sooner Athletic Conference.

Northwestern shot 46 percent from the floor, just a percent less than JBU. Turnovers were costly, as NWOSU suffered 21.

The Lady Rangers received a balanced scoring attack as four of the five starters scored double figures. Kacee McCulley, McKenzie Malloy and Tara Baker all hit four three-pointers in the game. McCulley scored a personal best of to 16 points while McKenzie Malloy and Tara Baker each had 14 points. Claudia Vazquez finished with 10 points.

Northwestern was 12-of-25 from beyond the arch and outrebounded JBU 27-23.

John Brown was 13-of-28 from three-point range and sunk 15-of-24 free throws. The Lady Golden Eagles were led by Micaela Cully’s 19 points.

The Ranger women (6-20, 4-16) will play their final home game against No. 5 Oklahoma City University (23-4, 19-1) on Thursday, Feb. 28.

McKenzie Malloy was a three-pointer shy of the school record against Rogers St. as she hit seven treys and turned in a career best 26 points.

ALVA, Okla. – McKenzie Malloy scored a career best 26 points and was a three-pointer away from tying the school record in a game (8) as the Northwestern women rolled past Rogers State 75-64 on Thursday, 75-64. Malloy finished with seven three’s as Northwestern improved to 6-19 overall and to 4-15 in the Sooner Athletic Conference.

The game started out as a back and forth battle with six lead changes in the first seven minutes. Northwestern bounced back in dramatic fashion and outscored the Lady Hillcats 16-3 over the final six and a half minutes to take a 40-27 lead at the half.

Northwestern put away Rogers St. early in the second half, extending their lead to as much as 21 points.

The Lady Rangers couldn’t miss, making 48 percent and were 11-of-25 from three, including eight first half treys, four from Malloy.

Malloy was followed by double digit figures from Kacee McCulley and D’Shanna Butler. McCulley hit a pair of three’s on her way to scoring 13 points and Butler added 11. Tara Baker was the other Lady Ranger with a pair of three’s as she finished with seven points.

Rogers State shot 33 percent and was led by Breck Muller’s output of 16 points and Katie Rice’s 10 points.

D'Shanna Butler had a 27 points against Wayland Baptist.

ALVA, Okla. – In their third and final game of the week, the Northwestern’s women’s basketball team fell on Saturday, Feb. 16 to Wayland Baptist, 71-61, at Percefull Fieldhouse.

The Lady Rangers tied the game once and were behind for the first 13 minutes of the game. Northwestern held its first lead at the 7:44 mark, ahead 24-23. NWOSU closed out the half scoring six consecutive points. D’Shana Butler scored 15 points from in the half as the Lady Ranges held a 32-31 lead at the break.

The game hit three lead changes in the second half and a couple of ties before Wayland Baptist held the lead for the final 11 minutes. The Lady Rangers were able to pull within three points with 1:16 left, but a 10-4 run put the game away for WBU.

Northwestern shot 25 percent, while Butler speared the charge with 27 points, including a three and 14 free throws. Emily Gilbert and McKenzie Malloy added eight points each, while Danielle Stebens hit two three-point buckets on her way to seven points. Gilbert led the Lady Rangers with eight boards.

The Flying Queens received 20 points from Anastasia Okolo and 18 from Megan Coats, while shooting 43 percent.

Northwestern (5-19, 3-15) will host its fourth straight home game on Thursday, Feb. 21 against Wayland Baptist at 6 p.m.

Leandra Johnson hit a personal best 14 points vs. Lubbock Christian

ALVA, Okla. – The Lady Ranger basketball team dropped its sixth straight Sooner Athletic Conference game on Thursday, Feb. 14, as Northwestern was defeated by No. 17 Lubbock Christian, 67-49.

In a low scoring first half, LCU’s Severyn Smith and Carolyn Manning combined for 23 of the Lady Chaps 29 points. Northwestern was held to 19 points, while only shooting 27 percent.

Northwestern was able to cut the lead to eight right after the break, but LCU held a double figure lead for the rest of the game and led by as much as 20 points on three different occasions.

Only five Lady Rangers scored in the game, including D’Shanna Butler and Leandra Johnson both scoring 14 points to pace Northwestern. Emily Gilbert had 12 points, McKenzie Malloy had six points on two three’s and Claudia Vazquez scored three.

LCU had four players in double figures and shot 50 percent from the field and from beyond the arch. Carolyn Manning led the Lady Chaps with 19 points.

The Northwestern women (5-18, 3-14) will play their third and final game of the week on Saturday, Feb. 16 against Wayland Baptist (12-13, 7-10) at 4 p.m.

Emily Gilbert recorded her second double-double of the season with 18 points and 12 boards.

ALVA, Okla. – In a first of a three-game home week, Northwestern’s women’s basketball team was defeated 71-67 by Mid-America Christian on Monday, Feb. 11. The loss drops the Rangers to 5-17 overall and to 3-13 in the Sooner Athletic Conference.

Northwestern trailed the entire game, getting behind by as much as 15 points in the first half. Mid-America used an 11-0 run to take a 19-4 advantage at the 11:02 mark. Northwestern was able to trim the lead down to six points at half, trailing 34-28.

The Lady Rangers fought back in the second half, eventually tying the game at 43-43. The lead exchanged hands eight times until the contest was in its final tie, 58-58, with 3:10 left. 

Mid-America scored the next five points to move ahead 63-58, but Northwestern answered with four consecutive points from Emily Gilbert to knock the lead down to 63-62. The Lady Evangels Shawna Patton closed the game out scoring the final eight points for MACU.

Claudia Vazquez led Northwestern with 21 points. Emily Gilbert posted her second double-double of the season and had 18 points and 12 boards. McKenzie Malloy sunk four three-pointers on her way to score 16 points, including eight rebounds. D’Shanna Butler finished with 10.

Patton headed up the scoring barrage for MACU with 27 points. She knocked down six three-pointers and had seven rebounds.

Northwestern (5-17, 3-13) will host Lubbock Christian (Tex.) on Thursday, Feb. 14 for a 6 p.m. contest.

Emily Gilbert scored nine points against OBU.

SHAWNEE, Okla. – The Northwestern Lady Rangers output was doubled by Oklahoma Baptist on Saturday night, as the Lady Bison downed Northwestern 90-45 at the Noble Complex in Shawnee.

Northwestern was held to 16 first half points as Oklahoma Baptist scored 45 points in each half.

Emily Gilbert had nine points to lead Northwestern. McKenzie Malloy finished with eight points and D’Shanna Butler and Tara Baker both had seven points, with Baker hitting two three’s.

Northwestern shot 27 percent from the field and hit 6-of-21 from three-point range.

Oklahoma Baptist hit 48 percent and nailed 12 three’s. All 13 Lady Bison scored, with Heather Graham being one of four players to score double figures and led OBU with 15 points.

Northwestern (5-16, 3-12) will play a make-up game with Mid-America Christian University on Monday, Feb. 11 at Percefull Fieldhouse. Tip-off is at 6 p.m.

Tara Baker had three treys on her way to 11 points against St. Gregory's.

SHAWNEE, Okla. – The Northwestern Lady Rangers couldn’t hold on to a one-point halftime lead against St. Gregory’s and fell 56-52 to the Lady Cavaliers in Shawnee.

Leading 22-21 at intermission, Northwestern was outscored 35-30 in the second half to fall to 5-15 on the season and 3-11 in the SAC.

The Lady Rangers shot 28 percent on the night and were led by D’Shanna Butler’s 16 points and nine rebounds. Tara Baker followed with 11 points, including three treys, while Emily Gilbert finished with nine points.

St. Gregory’s shot 37 percent and were headed by 20 points from Melody Mattox and Natalie Melendez’ 17 points.

The women’s team (5-15, 3-11) will return to Shawnee on Saturday for a 6 p.m. game with No. 9 Oklahoma Baptist (20-2, 12-2).

Danielle Stebens had five points against Oklahoma City.

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – The Northwestern Lady Rangers had there hands full against No. 7 Oklahoma City University, as the Stars downed the Lady Rangers 81-40 on Saturday, Feb. 2 at Abe Lemmons Arena.

The Lady Rangers hung around the Stars over the opening seven minutes, trailing only by one, 10-9, before Oklahoma City went on a 30-12 run to close the first half.

After leading 40-21 at the break, OCU continued its dominance in a similar half, out scoring Northwestern 40-19.

Northwestern shot 25 percent on the night, while turning over the ball 17 times resulting in 25 points for the Stars.

The Ranger starters were the only players to score. Emily Gilbert and D’Shanna Butler had a game high of 12 points. McKenzie Malloy hit two three-pointers on her way to eight points, while Danielle Stebens scored five and Kacee McCulley added three points.

Oklahoma City had four players in double figures. Breezy Martin paced the Stars with 18 points.

The Ranger women (5-14, 3-10) will be in Shawnee on Thursday and Saturday of this week for games with St. Gregory’s (4-16, 2-11) and Oklahoma Baptist, respectively.

Northwestern Oklahoma State University’s Alumni Association will be holding the Annual Alumni Basketball game on Friday, Feb. 15, in Percefull Fieldhouse.

The event will start happening at 5 p.m. at the fieldhouse. Registration for participants will open, and the Rowdy Rangers support group will begin serving free hotdogs to the first 300 spectators. Admission to the games is free.

The women’s game will begin at 6 p.m. followed by the men’s game at 7:30. Former and current Ranger cheerleaders and band members are invited to join in the fun. Each participant will receive a free 2008 alumni basketball T-shirt and a goody bag 

The teams will have time to practice before the games and each game will have two 20-minute running halves and a halftime. This year will have a new twist between the games, with a free throw contest for players age 55 and older or alumni not participating in the games. “Future Rangers” will be brought onto the court and be recognized during halftime of the men’s game.

The alumni basketball event has been planned by a committee consisting of Lizabeth Richey, Bob Battisti, Ryan Hintergardt, Milburn Barton, Andrew Brown, Becky McCray, Jennifer Tyree, Bill Bixler, Johnny Jones and Courtney Harzman.

The four Sports Hall of Fame inductees will be honored at a luncheon at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 16, and at halftime of the men’s basketball game that afternoon. Tipoff for the game with Wayland Baptist University is at 4 p.m. The women’s team will play WBU at 2 p.m.

McKenzie Malloy knocked down a team and individual best six three-pointers at Southern Nazarene

BETHANY, Okla. – The Northwestern Oklahoma State women’s basketball team dropped to 5-13 on the season after a 64-54 defeat at Southern Nazarene in Bethany on Saturday.

Northwestern found themselves down by five points early and battled back through three ties to knot the game at 10-10. Southern Nazarene quickly extended its lead to 27-13 on a 17-3 run and closed out the half leading 31-23.

After the Crimson Storm pulled away by as much as 12 points in the second half, the Lady Rangers fought back and pulled within five points, trailing 56-51 with 4:48 left.

McKenzie Malloy headed up the scoring for Northwestern nailing a season-high six three-pointers for 18 points. D’Shanna Butler added 15 points along with two treys. Emily Gilbert finished with eight points, while Claudia Vazquez recorded six points and seven boards.

Northwestern shot 32 percent on the night and was 9-of-34 from three. The Lady Rangers struggled from the charity stripe, hitting 5 in 16 attempts.

The Crimson Storm shot 42 percent for the evening and were led by Tejana Elmore’s double-double of 16 points and ten rebounds. Rachel Balzer added 14 points.

SNU held a four rebound advantage, 46-42, while both teams turned the ball over 15 times.

The Lady Rangers (5-13, 3-9) host Mid-America Christian (4-15, 1-10) in their first meeting since joining the Sooner Athletic Conference at 8 p.m. on Thursday night.

Emily Gilbert had 16 points in the Lady Rangers 76-67 win over USAO.

ALVA, Okla. – The Northwestern Lady Rangers hit their highest output of the year, defeating the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, 76-67, for Northwestern’s third Sooner Athletic Conference victory. The win advanced the Lady Rangers to 5-12 overall and to 3-8 in the Sooner Athletic Conference.

After five lead changes over the opening ten minutes, Northwestern pulled away from USAO with a 7-0 run to lead 20-14 with 7:30 left in the first half. Northwestern extended that advantage to nine points with over four minutes to go, but the Lady Drovers scored the last eight points of the half to trail only by one, 25-24, at the midpoint.

The second half began similar to the first, incurring four lead changes before the Rangers ran away with the game. Ahead 41-39, Northwestern used a three-pointer from Malloy, three consecutive field goals from Emily Gilbert and a pair of free throws to pull the Rangers to a 52-42 lead and ward off USAO for the remainder of the game.

The Rangers shot 56 percent from the field in the second half and were 4-of-6 from three.

Four of the five Lady Rangers found double figures and scored 66 of the NWOSU’s 76 points. D’Shanna Butler hit four field goals and 10 free throws while leading the Rangers with 18 points. McKenzie Malloy nailed five three-pointers and scored 17 points, while Emily Gilbert and Claudia Vazquez scored 16 and 15, respectively. Danielle Stebens added four points, while Tara Baker and Kacee McCulley finished with three points each.

USAO also had four players in double figures and were led by Kartesha Rambo’s 20 points. Charite Lewis finished with a double-double of 16 points and 13 boards.

Northwestern (5-12, 3-18) will meet Southern Nazarene (14-3, 8-2) in Bethany for a 6 p.m. game on Saturday, January 26.

Claudia Vazquez led NWOSU with 13 points against Oklahoma Christian.

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – In an irregular week of three Sooner Athletic Conference games, the Northwestern Lady Rangers fell 61-50 to Oklahoma Christian on Tuesday night in Oklahoma City.

Oklahoma Christian opened the game up with a 7-0 run and two field goals from Emily Gilbert and McKenzie Malloy, pulled Northwestern to 11-6.

The Lady Rangers succumbed to a 15-8 Lady Eagle run over last 10 minutes of the first half.

After a 31-16 halftime score, Northwestern was able to come within eight points after beginning the second half out scoring OC 10-3. The Lady Rangers again pulled within eight points two separate times, but from the 8:41 mark on, Oklahoma Christian led by double figures.

Two Rangers hit double-double status with Claudia Vaszquez leading the way with 13 points and ten rebounds as she was 4-of-11 from the field and hit five free throws. Vazquez also recorded four blocked shots and a steal. D’Shanna Butler had a three-pointer on her way to her double-double of 12 points and 11 boards. Emily Gilbert finished with nine points, while Danielle Stebens had a pair of three’s for six points and Malloy had five.

Northwestern’s field goal and three-point percentage were an identical 28 percent, making 18-of-65 from the floor and 5-of-18 from beyond the arch.

Oklahoma Christian also hit 28 percent from the field, but hit seven treys and nine more free throws than did NWOSU. The Lady Eagles were led by Kailan DeCamp’s 18 points, followed by nine points from Lindsey Gipson.

Brooke Butler scored nine points against Rogers State.

CLAREMORE, Okla. – The Northwestern women’s basketball team’s slow first half lead to an 83-63 loss against Rogers State University (9-8, 5-4) at the Claremore Expo Center on Saturday, Jan. 19.

Rogers State held a commanding 47-20 lead at the half, while Northwestern scored 12 of its 20 points from beyond the three-point arch. The Lady Rangers struggled from the field, shooting 28 percent.

Northwestern continued to shoot the three well, making 5-of-11 from beyond the arch in the second half. The Lady Rangers outscored the Lady Hillcats, 42-36 in the half.

For the game, NWOSU was 9-of-20 from three, including three treys from McKenzie Malloy and a pair each from Kacee McCulley and Danielle Stebens. The Lady Rangers improved over the second half, shooting 46 percent to bump their overall percentage to 38.

D’Shanna Butler was 9-of-15 from the field along with two free throws to finish as the only Ranger in double figures with 20 points. Brooke Butler and Malloy had nine points each and McCulley finished with seven.

Rogers State hit 43 percent of their field goals and were a productive 21-of-30 from the foul line. The Lady Hillcats were led by 14 points from both Azzie Knox and Katie Rice.

The Lady Rangers (4-11, 2-7) play three games next week. They will travel to Edmond to play Oklahoma Christian (8-8, 4-5) on Thursday, return home on Thursday to host USAO and play at Southern Nazarene on Saturday.

D’Shanna Butler led the Rangers for the third consecutive game, as she scored 22 points.

ALVA, Okla. – The Ranger women grabbed their second Sooner Athletic Conference victory after a 67-58 home win over John Brown (Ark.) on Thursday night. The win upped Northwestern’s record to 4-10 overall and to 2-6 in the conference.

After D’Shanna Butler, McKenzie Malloy and Tara Baker each hit a three-pointer, Northwestern held a 9-3 lead to open the contest.

John Brown scored the next nine points to pull ahead by three points. After two ties, and the score at a 15-15 stalemate, the Lady Rangers used a 7-0 run to jump to a 22-15 lead.

The Lady Golden Eagles switched the role as they held Northwestern scoreless for the next two minutes and came within a point. Malloy hit another three to take a four point lead, but JBU struck back and snuck ahead by a point, before Danielle Stebens hit a field goal with time expiring to take a 27-26 halftime lead.

The teams battled it out at the beginning of the second half, with the game going through four lead changes over the first five minutes.

Northwestern stretched the lead to 40-33 after scoring eight consecutive points. The Golden Eagles wouldn’t go away easy, tying the game for the sixth time at 44-44 with 8:50 left.

The Lady Rangers held onto their lead over the final 8:20 and led by as much as 15 points with two and a half minutes to go.

D’Shanna Butler led the Rangers for the third consecutive game, as she scored 22 points. Bulter was 9-of-14 from the free throw line and hit a three in addition to leading the Rangers with seven boards and four assists. Malloy’s four three pointers earned her 12 points in the game along with 12 points also from Brooke Butler. The Northwestern bench provided 21 points, compared to just two from John Brown to spur the Lady Rangers to the win.

Both teams hit eight three-point buckets. Northwestern shot 35 percent (21-of-60) and were 17-of-32 from the charity stripe.

John Brown was productive from the free throw line, hitting 14-of-16. The Golden Eagles had three less field goals than NWOSU and were led by Ashley Taylor’s 20 points and 19 points, including 12 points from three’s, from Micaela Cully.

Northwestern (4-10, 2-6) will take on Rogers State University (8-8, 4-4) at 6 p.m. on Saturday, January 19 in Claremore.

Eden Edwards had eight points against Lubbock Christian.

LUBBOCK,