By MEGAN MAHARRY
Sports Writer
The Lady Rangers basketball team traveled to Arkansas last Thursday and Saturday to face opponents Ouachita Baptist University and Henderson State University. The weekend proved tough as the Lady Rangers fell in both games.
The Lady Rangers lost a close game to Ouachita 78-74. After overcoming a 12-point deficit with just left minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Lady Rangers brought the score within two. However, two free throws made by Ouachita in the final seconds sealed the victory.
Northwestern shot 41.9 percent in the game and had a total of 31 rebounds. They held Ouachita to zero three-pointers made in the second half, but could not stop the 26 free throws made by the Tigers.
Junior Jade Jones led the squad with 25 total points, going 8-for-15 throughout the game. Junior Bailey Forell netted all her three-point attempts, totaling nine. Freshman Selena McDonald had 10 rebounds and five points.
The Lady Rangers were back in action on Saturday against Henderson State. They fell to the Reddies 78-61.
A strong performance in the second and third quarter gave the Lady Rangers a chance, but they were unable to capitalize. The Lady Rangers outscored Henderson 43-38 in the combined quarters, but a weak first quarter performance hurt the Lady Rangers in the long run.
The Lady Rangers hit only 2-of-11 shots in the first quarter. A Lady Ranger run through the second and third quarter brought the score within five, but the Reddies gained enough momentum to defeat the Lady Rangers.
McDonald had a team high 21 points on the afternoon, going 9-for-10 on the field. Jones had 18 points and freshman McKenzie Dean lead the team with four rebounds.
The two games against Arkansas GAC opponents began the second half of conference play for the Lady Rangers. The Lady Rangers will face all opponents in the GAC for a second time. Jade Jones said she and her team are preparing to play the opponents again.
“We have played everyone so we know what they like to do,” Jones said.
She said if they have beaten the team previously they will stick to their original game plan, but make adjustments to take on the teams they have lost to. She said it all starts on defense.
“We are very goof offensively most games so as long as we buy in on the defensive end and get stops then I think we will win most game if we lock down on defense,” Jones said.
“We are a very young team and I love that,” Jones said. “We just have to keep growing each and every day and with each game that passes we will get more comfortable with each other on the floor.”
Jade Jones and the Lady Rangers return home Thursday and Saturday to play Arkansas Tech and Harding.