ALVA, Okla. – Northwestern Oklahoma State men's basketball kicked off their season with a bang Friday night as the Rangers dropped MIAA opponent Northeastern State University 61-50 in the opening game of the MIAA/GAC Challenge.

Excitement was in the air as college basketball returned to Percefull Fieldhouse for the first time in nearly eight months. Friday night's game marked the first regular season contest for both the Rangers and the visiting Riverhawks. Both squads got off to a slow start as they combined for just 60 points in the opening half.

Northeastern struggled to find any sort of rhythm in this one, shooting just 27% from the field and only connecting on 3-of-16 shots from beyond the arc.

Division 1 transfer Treyvon Andres had a strong Ranger debut as the 6'8" center scored 16 points to go with his 3 blocks and 2 steals. The Denver, Colo. native provided head coach Shawn Dirden with a much needed physical presence in the paint as Andres managed to pull down 13 boards. 

NSU was led by junior guard Tanner Mouse who was 4-of-9 from the field and recorded a team-high 14 points in the game.

Northwestern built their largest lead of the game late in the second half to keep a pressing Riverhawk offense from mounting any sort of a comeback. An electrifying putback dunk by senior Cedric Collinge extended the Ranger lead to 15 with 4:59 to play. Greg Minor Jr. had a solid evening, dropping 11 points including a 27 foot three-pointer in the opening minute. Sophomore newcomer A.J. Jones added 10 points for the black-and-red in his first game in a Ranger uniform. 

Up Next
The Rangers will return to the hardwood inside Percefull Fieldhouse tomorrow (Saturday, Oct. 11) at 7:30 pm as they host the University of Central Oklahoma Bronchos in the final game of the MIAA/GAC Challenge. Single game tickets can be purchased at the east gate of the Fieldhouse or catch the action online here.

For the latest news and updates on Ranger Basketball, follow @NWOSUAthletics on TWITTER or visit www.riderangersride.com