Lady Rangers keep postseason hopes alive

The Ranger College women's basketball team's postseason hopes still have a pulse thanks to stellar efforts by Shan'Qaylia Stanton and Angel Reese on Wednesday in the Ron Butler Gym. Stanton and Reese both pitched in double-double performances and led Ranger to a 69-62 victory over McLennan Community College.

Stanton pumped in a team-high 22 points in the must-win game for the RC women, while also dishing out 10 assists. Reese, who sparked the Lady Rangers with her defense throughout the second half, finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds. She also chalked up seven steals, five of which came in a crucial stretch in the second half.

With the win, Ranger College improved to 6-4 in Northern Texas Junior College Athletic Conference play, and into a tie for fifth in the NTJCAC standings with Grayson College. Only the top four teams from the conference will advance to the Region V tournament next month.

McLennan, buoyed by a rash of three-pointers, held their own in the first half. The Highlassies battled their way to a 25-24 lead in the first 10 minutes of play.

Ranger, now 16-7 for the season, answered back in the second. Stanton and Jaylan Gulley helped the RC women regain the upper hand by spearheading a 19-12 run.

Ranger College held a 43-27 lead at the half.

McLennan didn't go down quietly. The Highlassies' Annya Moss played well in the third quarter and keyed a 14-point outburst. Her efforts helped McLennan pull to within 57-51 at the start of the fourth.

Stanton and Reese weren't the only Lady Rangers to turn in double-digit offensive performances. Gulley and Giordin Johnson both scored 10 points in the game. Ny'Keria Johnson narrowly missed becoming the fifth RC player to reach double figures as she finished with nine points.

The Lady Rangers will return to play on Saturday (Feb. 9) when they host Howard College, beginning at 1 p.m.