OKLAHOMA CITY - The Mid-America Christian University Lady Evangels' furious second half rally fell just short as the Northwestern Oklahoma State University Lady Rangers sneaked by in overtime, 59-53 in a Sooner Athletic Conference matchup Thursday night (Jan. 26) at the Gaulke Activity Center.

The Lady Rangers led 48-46 when a runner in the lane by Parris Price tied the score with 26 seconds left in regulation. MACU then got a crucial defensive stop to send the game into overtime.

Titania Simmons scored the first bucket for the Lady Rangers in the extra session, but a free throw from Price and a jumper by Erica Jones put the Lady Evangels on top by one.

Both teams would trade the lead again until consecutive scores by Audrey Richmond gave the Lady Rangers the lead for good as they scored the final seven points of overtime to pull away for the win.

The Lady Evangels trailed by double figures at the half, but came out strong to start the second stanza by outscoring the Lady Rangers 12-2 to pull within one at 34-33.

A three by Autumn Klugh began a 9-2 spurt that built the lead back to 43-35 at the 8:37 mark of the second half.

It was 46-40 when consecutive threes by Brooklyn Bell forged a 46-46 tie with 1:31 left.

With the score even at 10-10 on a Price free throw, the Lady Rangers blitzed the Lady Evangels with a 15-0 outburst, fueled by treys from Mandy Norman, Klugh and Ronita Coleman for a 15-point bulge at the 8:11 mark of the opening half.

After Chelsea Key scored to stop the run, a bucket by Simmons and two free throws from LaParis Newson stretched the lead to 27-12.

Price and Kourtni Williams then began to inch the Lady Evangels closer, as consecutive scores from the duo brought the Lady Evangels back to within 13 with 3:27 left.

Another score inside from Williams and a pair of freebies by Price later cut the deficit to 32-21 at the break.

Price led the Lady Evangels with 17 points and also recorded three steals. Jones had 11 and Margaret Butler recorded a team-high seven rebounds.

Klugh was the only Lady Ranger in double-figures with 18 points, while Simmons grabbed a game-high 12 boards.

It was tough sledding for both squads offensively, with the Lady Evangels shooting 28.6 percent (18-of-63) and the Lady Rangers at 27.9 percent (17-of-61).

The Lady Rangers held a 53-39 edge in overall rebounds and 17-10 on the offensive glass, but the Lady Evangels forced 31 turnovers.

MACU will now play their first road game since Jan. 5 on Saturday afternoon (Jan. 28) at Oklahoma Christian. Tip-off is set for 3 p.m. in Edmond, Okla.