Northwest Lady Rangers Fall to Central Columbia
By: Carrie Miner Yaple | SportzWire | January 5, 2026 | Photo courtesy Carrie Miner Yaple
The Northwest Lady Rangers tipped off against Central Columbia in a matchup that proved challenging from the opening minutes. Northwest won the opening tip, but the game began at a slow scoring pace for both teams as they worked to settle in offensively.
Once Central Columbia found its rhythm, however, the momentum shifted quickly. Central began to push the tempo and capitalize on opportunities, building a steady lead. By the end of the first quarter, Central Columbia held a 16–8 advantage. Quinlan Blake led the early charge, scoring seven points in the opening quarter on her way to a game-high 21 points.
Central continued to control the game in the second quarter, applying pressure on both ends of the floor. Kayla Poust added consistent scoring and finished the night with 19 points, while freshman Lily Huber chipped in nine. Jude Flick scored six points, and Jada Tucker added four to round out a balanced offensive effort. At halftime, Central Columbia had opened up a 34–14 lead over the Lady Rangers.
The second half proved even more difficult for Northwest. Central’s defense intensified, forcing turnovers and turning them into points. The Lady Rangers struggled to find offensive openings, managing just six total points in the second half. Central Columbia continued to widen the gap, outscoring Northwest by 15 points in the third quarter alone, leading 54-19.
The game concluded with a 61–20 victory for Central Columbia. For Northwest, Ali Miner, Natalia Ninotti, and Ava Ruckle each finished with six points to lead the Rangers in scoring.
Central Columbia showcased a complete team performance, operating like a well-oiled machine on offense and defense throughout the night. Their ability to work together, apply constant pressure, and convert turnovers into points made the difference in a decisive win over the Lady Rangers.
