ALVA, Okla. – Northwestern Oklahoma State men's basketball started 2018 off with a bang as they rode a dominant second half to victory over the Southern Arkansas Muleriders. A'keem Oglesby and Cody Halvorson led the balanced Ranger attack with 17 and 15 points respectively as the black-and-red shot 47.1 percent from the field, including 11-22 from three point territory.

Southern Arkansas built a 10 point lead midway through the first half, but the Rangers took control late in the frame and never looked back. Northwestern outscored the Muleriders 52-36 in the second half to secure their fourth conference win of the season.

After an 18-day holiday layoff, the Rangers returned to the hardwood looking to continue their red hot start to the 2017-18 campaign. In their latest outing, Northwestern took a 90-73 win over Randall University on Dec. 16. when they shot 55 percent to handle business on the road.

Coming off a three-point road loss at Mississippi College, the Muleriders (4-6, 0-4) were hoping to change their winless GAC record as they sat in 11^th in the conference entering play.

The Muleriders led by as many as 10 in the first half, but the Rangers stormed back to take a five point lead into the break after a string of three-pointers that allowed Northwestern to go on a 19-4 run to close out the frame. Southern Arkansas struggled from the field in the half, shooting 37.5 percent including a 1-10 effort from beyond-the-arc.

Southern Arkansas' effort was led by the offensive tandem of CJ Elkins and Draylan Perkins, a pair of junior guards who combined for 31 Mulerider points.
Senior Cedric Collinge picked up three steals and a blocked shot in his 10 point performance, with Greg Minor Jr. adding 12 points and two steals.
 
Up Next
The Rangers will continue their home stand on Saturday, Jan. 6 when they host the University of Arkansas-Monticello inside Percefull Fieldhouse. The Boll Weevils are coming off an 82-73 win over SWOSU on Thursday evening. Tip-off is slated for 3 p.m. and can be heard live on the Pulse 105.7 FM in the Alva area or online at www.alvaradio.com
For the latest news and updates on Ranger Basketball, follow @NWOSUAthletics on TWITTER or visit www.riderangersride.com