The Basics
Score: Northwestern 76 – Harding 80
Records: NW (1-2, 0-1 GAC) - HU (2-1, 1-0 GAC)
Location: Rhodes Field House – Searcy, Ark.

SEARCY, Ark. -  Northwestern battled hard in their conference opener, but fell just short in a 80-76 loss to the reigning GAC Co-Champion Harding Bisons. 

The Fast Break
    Thursday evening's contest got off to a slow start, with both teams coming up empty in their first three possessions. The Bison opened the scoring in Rhodes Field House with back-to-back three pointers, giving them a 6-0 lead. In what turned out to be a physical affair, Northwestern made trips to the line early and often, reaching the bonus midway through the first half.

    The Ranger offense was determined to stick with the high-powered Bisons, trailing by only one at the first media timeout. Trey Johnson made a statement on a put back slam over the head of a Harding defender. The energy on the Ranger bench however was short lived. After putting together a 9-0 run, Harding managed to pull ahead to a 36-25 lead.

    Northwestern left the door open for the Bisons to extend their lead, going over seven minutes without a field goal to close out the first half. During that cold streak, Harding was able to jump out to a 45-27 lead at the break. Harding connected on 51.7% over the course of the opening period and out-rebounded the Rangers 23-19.

    The second half saw the Northwestern shooters looking to improve on their 0-13 showing from beyond the arc in the first half. The Rangers showed some defensive prowess of their own, holding Harding without a point for a period of 2:38. The Bisons however broke out and drained back-to-back three pointers to make it 54-38.

    Brandon Green became the first to connect from deep for the Rangers, knocking down a three to break the 0-17 streak early in the second half. Following the three from Green, Northwestern continued to pick away at the Bisons lead, but a deep three from Harding guard Austin Mankin at the 11:52 mark extended their lead to 18.

    The Rangers were outscoring the Bison 18-16 at the midway point of the second half, but were unable to slow down the perimeter shooting from Harding. The Bisons hit four three-point shots in the first ten minutes in an effort to stifle any Ranger comeback. Northwestern managed to hold the home team off the score sheet for just over four minutes, charging ahead with an 11-0 run in the process.

    Down 66-57 with 6:29 to play, the Rangers began to tighten up defensively. After a block  in the paint, Zachary Dumas drove down the court, bullying his way into the lane while drawing the foul. Dumas connected on one of his two free throws, getting Northwestern back within eight.

    Harding answered the Ranger comeback with a deep three from Mankin once again, and then drew a Ranger offensive foul to regain possession with an 11 point lead.

    The Rangers weren't done yet. After a huge three from the corner by Martin, Northwestern cut the lead to six with 1:44 to play. A key defensive stop led to a great opportunity for Cody Halvorson, but his shot from behind the line was just short.

    Following two made free throws by the Bisons, Deiondray Martin drove the lane and converted on a layup, bringing the score to 73-67 in favor of Harding with 53 seconds left. Head coach Shawn Dirden called a timeout in an effort to rally his troops, and it paid off with Halvorson dropping a deep three pointer to cut the lead to four.

    Northwestern was forced to foul, sending Wagner to the line who hit his free throws when it mattered. In the dying seconds, Harding caught a break when officials called a foul on Brandon Green, on a questionable play where the Harding player slipped on perspiration on the floor.

    The Rangers battled right to the end, with Halvorson hitting another three with 19 seconds left then Austin Klug driving to the lane drawing a foul for a three point play. Halvorson nearly saved the day, almost stealing an inbound pass, but couldn't control the ball as it went out of bounds. The continued possession for the Bisons allowed them to inbound the ball again, this time ending the game for a 80-76 final.

    The late Ranger comeback was spurred by Halvorson and Martin, who had 11 and 14 points respectively in the second half alone. Northwestern shot 43.5% from the field, but only managed to convert on 24% of shots from three point range.
 
Up Next

• Northwestern Oklahoma State Men's Basketball will return to the hardwood in Russellville, Arkansas where they play against Arkansas Tech University (1-0, 1-0 GAC) on Saturday, November 19 at 3:00 p.m.

For the latest information and updates on Ranger Basketball, follow @NWOSUAthletics on Twitter or go to www.riderangersride.com.