Late FT gives RC women OT win in NTJCAC opener

Alena Wilson hit a pair of free throws with 1.7 seconds left on Saturday afternoon and helped the 25^th-ranked Ranger College women's basketball team earn a tough 60-59 overtime win over Collin County Community College in front of a large crowd in the Ron Butler Gymnasium.

Wilson's late heroics enabled the Lady Rangers to squelch Collin's strong second-half comeback attempt.

With the victory, Ranger College improved to a perfect 16-0 for the season. More importantly, though, the team moved atop the Northern Texas Junior College Standings with a 1-0 mark.

Ranger's perfect start to the season appeared in danger in the waning seconds. After Collin County had staged a 20-11 run in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 52-52 at the end of regulation, the Cougars kept going in OT. Collin scored a pair of quick baskets and built a 4-point lead. They tacked on another basket with less than 15 seconds left to go up 59-58.

Wilson, who led the team with eight rebounds, was fouled while trying to muscle up a shot in the final seconds. She stepped to the line and sank both ends of the free-throw opportunity to give Ranger the win.

Bre'Asiajah Mathews, who sank several free throws in OT to keep RC close, sparked the Lady Rangers offensively. The freshman sensation poured in a team-high 19 points in the contest. Wilson and sophomore Angel Reese also reach double figures, scoring 15 and 10, respectively.

She'Ray Wilson added six points and six rebounds.

The Lady Rangers will return to action on Wednesday against rival McLennan.