ADA, Okla. – David Thornton's career-high 19 points and a double-double from Treyvon Andres weren't enough Monday night as the Northwestern Oklahoma State men's basketball team dropped an overtime decision 75-72 at East Central University.
In a back-and-forth affair, the Rangers (2-7, 1-3 GAC) tied the game with under a minute to go in regulation when Jack Peck floated in a shot high off the glass. After a shot-clock violation by the Tigers handed Northwestern the ball with 28 seconds remaining, A.J. Jones' last-second three rattled off the iron to send the game into overtime.
East Central (5-4, 2-2 GAC) opened the extra period on a 5-0 run, but the Rangers quickly countered with a 5-0 run of their own to knot things up at 69-69. Jakeem Acres would account for four of the Tigers' last six points as ECU handed Northwestern its third straight loss.
Peck added 15 points on 6-of-12 shooting while Andres recorded 11 points and 11 boards to go along with three blocked shots and three steals.
Northwestern erased what was once a 14-point deficit in the first half with a 20-9 run and would take a one-point advantage into halftime, before extending its lead to as many as eight out of the break. Shooting a promising 51 percent in the opening period, the red-and-black slumped to a 37 percent mark in the second half and overtime.
The Tigers had four players reach double figures led by a 16-point effort from Tylor Arnold. In what proved to be a physical matchup, ECU had three of its starters foul out of the contest.
With the holiday break coming up, Northwestern will look to recharge with a 13-day layoff before returning to the hardwood Sunday, December 30 for a non-conference battle with MIAA foe Emporia State University. Tip-off from historic Percefull Fieldhouse is set for 4 p.m. and can be heard on the Pulse 105.7 FM with Dustin Goodno and Jacob Boggess, or streamed live and free at www.riderangersride.com.
For the latest news and updates on Ranger Basketball, follow @NWOSUAthletics on TWITTER or visit www.RIDERANGERSRIDE.com
