By MEGAN SPRAY
Northwestern’s Women’s Basketball team is finding success this season from their strong defense and team chemistry to hold onto third in the Great American Conference (GAC) standings.
The Lady Rangers saw success early, winning some competitive nonconference games. Their start set the tone for their season as they went on a 9-0 win streak and climbed the conference standings after being picked seventh in the GAC women’s basketball preseason poll.
Head Coach Tasha Diesselhorst said the most exciting part of this team is their defense and how they play together.
“This team has been the best defensive team that I’ve had here at Northwestern so far,” Diesselhorst said.
The Lady Rangers continue to be ranked first in the GAC for defense, holding their opponents to an average of 54.3 points per game.
Conley Cayot, a freshman guard from Enid, said their versatility makes them great. “We have good posts, good guards and we can score in lots of different ways,” she said. “I think that’s what makes us really special.”
Kira Bass, a senior center from Killeen, Texas, is leading the team in scoring, rebounds and blocks. She has had multiple standout performances this season, with a career-high 32-point game and earning GAC Offensive Player of the Week for week six of the season.
Junior guard Catyn Graham from Pittsburg, Oklahoma was the GAC Player of the week in week four of the season after a career high 23-point win in their upset over Harding, making seven three-pointers.
The team has seen a lot of recognition in conference an
d national rankings, with individual players receiving recognition for their performances, as well.
Madi Denison, a junior forward from Minneola, Kansas, said her favorite thing about this season is how close all of the girls are with each other.
“I think that really shows on the court,” Denison said. “We just always want the best for each other, and I think that’s why we’re doing so well this season.”
The Lady Rangers are heading into the second half of their season in a strong spot. They are 8-2 in conference play, 13-3 overall, ranked first in defense in the GAC, ranked third in GAC standings and have been ranked in the top 25 WBCA NCAA Division II Coaches’ Poll.
“I think that as the season goes on, we’re just going to keep getting better and better as we keep playing with each other,” Cayot said. “I feel like the best is yet to come.”
GAC Women’s basketball standings
1st- Harding University 8-2
2nd- Arkansas Tech 8-2
3rd-NWOSU 8-2
4th- Henderson State 7-3
5th- Ouachita Baptist 6-4
6th- Southern Arkansas 5-5
7th- Southern Nazarene 5-5
8th- SWOSU 4-6
9th- East Central 3-7
10th- Oklahoma Baptist 3-7
11th- SEOSU 2-8
Upcoming Lady Ranger games
Jan 24 vs SEOSU
Jan 29 vs Harding
Jan 31 vs Arkansas Tech
Feb 5 @ Henderson State
Feb 7 @ Ouachita Baptist
Feb 12 @ SWOSU
Feb 14 @ East Central University
Feb 19 vs Southern Arkansas
Feb 21 vs Arkansas at Monticello
Feb 26 vs Oklahoma Baptist