By RYAN SHUMAKER
Sports Editor
The Northwestern Oklahoma State women’s basketball team took to the court multiple times over the break and came closer and closer to breaking through for their first victory of the season in the Great American Conference.
The Red-and-Black used balanced team scoring and tough individual defensive performances from forward Kamera Bozeman to put together some of their best performances of the break.
The Rangers started out the break with a home match against Cameron University and lost 83-41.
After the holidays, the women put up a better effort against GAC opponent Ouachita Baptist University, but ultimately lost 73-60.
Dallas, Texas native Ashley Pride and Shawnee, Oklahoma native Micaela Yu both had double digit scoring efforts while Bozeman provided the power underneath with 12 points and eight rebounds.
On Jan. 9, the Rangers took on the Reddies of Henderson State and despite an early game lead, lost 82-64.
Bozeman’s presence in the paint kept the Reddies from scoring underneath as she tallied 11 rebounds and three blocked shots. late in the game.
The following week the Rangers put together their best performance to date and almost came out of Bethany, Oklahoma with their first victory of the season.
However, the Crimson Storm came out and played a tough fourth quarter, setting up for a wild finish.
With .5 seconds left on the game clock, ahead 72-71, Southern Nazarene fouled sending Johnson to the free throw line with two shots to take.
She would end up missing the two shots but the Rangers left Bethany with new found confidence and some more momentum going into their next contest.
The first Saturday of the spring semester set the stage for the Rangers matchup against Southeastern Oklahoma State University. The low scoring first half ended up at 23-22, with the Rangers getting the upper hand.
The Rangers put themselves in a position to make the comeback but some clutch late game free throws ultimately sealed the game for Southeastern as they took the victory, 71-63.
Guards Pride and Jaylan Robinson provided some spark from the perimeter, each reaching double figures while commanding an improving offense.
The Rangers record stands at 1-13 overall and 0-9 in the GAC.