ALVA, Okla. – The balanced scoring of Southern Arkansas proved to be too much for the Northwestern Oklahoma State University men Thursday evening as the Rangers fell to the Muleriders 75-63 in Great American Conference play.

Northwestern's record moved to 3-8 this season and 1-4 in league play and Southern Arkansas remains atop conference standings in a four-way tie at 4-1 in the GAC and 9-2 overall.

The Mulerides had control of the contest early on with a 27-12 lead with just 10 minutes played in the first half. Northwestern, however, kept the game from getting out of hand early with a 7-0 run, started by a Treyvon Andres jumper and a steal and fastbreak layup from Joseph Moorer.

After the visitors again opened their lead to 12, Jack Peck answered with a pull up three that kicked off an another 8-0 run, this time capped by an Andres three from the top of the key. The Rangers ultimately outscored the Muleriders 18-5 in a 7:36 span to cut the lead two just two.

But Southern Arkansas added four points in the final minute of the first to take a 36-30 lead into the locker room.

Northwestern freshman Andrew Clopton came out firing in the second half with a three pointer from the corner and a pull up jumper in the paint. Clopton was fouled on the jumper and knocked down a free-throw to quickly tie the game at 36 early in the second.

Unfortunately, the Rangers went cold over the next 11 minutes of game play and found themselves in a 20-point hole to the Muleriders, 62-42, with 6:55 to go in the game. That's when three pointers from Andres, Cole Jones on back-to-back occasions, and a basket from behind the arc from Moorer helped the Rangers cut into the large deficit.

As time began to wind down on the clock, the Muleriders were able to answer any shot the Rangers could get to fall as they eventually held on for the victory.

Peck led Northwestern with 12 points, and Andres just missed in third double-double in as many games as he finished with 11 points and a team high eight rebounds. A.J. Jones finished the game with seven points, Clopton, Cole and David Thornton each had six points, while Bryshon Bryant and Moorer finished with five.

Eisley Swain and Bryce Cashman rounded out the scoring with three and two points, respectively.

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