WEATHERFORD, Okla. – Northwestern Oklahoma State University men's basketball got 23 second half points from Jack Peck and 16 assists from A.J. Jones as the Rangers took down Southwestern Oklahoma State in double-overtime, 98-96.
Peck started the first overtime period with five-straight points to make it 83-79. Free-throws from both teams made it 84-80 before Southwestern shooter Kamden Gipson hit a three to make it a one-point game.
Following a short lived lead by the Bulldogs at 85-84, A.J. Jones hit 1-of-2 from the line to tie the game yet again at 85. The Bulldogs were unable to convert on their final attempt of the first overtime.
In the second overtime after a made free-throw by each team, Eric Andres Jr. made an easy layup underneath the basket on an inbound play, assisted by Jones. On the ensuing Bulldog possession, they were fouled on a made three-point attempt and with the free-throw make SWOSU took a 93-90 lead.
Fortunately for the Rangers, that deficit didn't last long. Less than 20 seconds later, David Thornton hit a three from the left wing to tie the game. After the Bulldogs took a one-point lead, freshman Cole Jones hit a three-pointer from the left wing for the game winner for the Rangers.
Peck led Northwestern in the game with a season high 26 points, 23 of which came in the second half and overtime periods. The redshirt sophomore hit five three pointers in the game.
Thornton and A.J. Jones had 16 points, Bryshon Bryant added 14 points and Andrew Clopton closed the game with 11. A.J. Jones' 16 assists in the game tied the Great American Conference single game performance.
Northwestern is now 1-1 in double-overtime games and 2-3 in all overtime games in 2019 alone. The Rangers' victory snapped a five-game skid.
The Rangers will be back in action Saturday afternoon at home when they look to avenge an earlier season loss to Southeastern Oklahoma State. Tipoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. following the women's contest at 1.
Despite some sloppy by both teams in the first half, Southwestern only had as much as a five-point lead in the first 20 minutes.
In the opening minutes of the ballgame, the Rangers had an 8-4 following back-to-back three-pointers from A.J. Jones. The Northwestern guard finished the half with a team high 12 points. After Southwestern tied the game at eight, the Rangers regained the lead on a slam from Bryce Cashman.
The two teams traded leads on the scoreboard by way of free-throws. Following a four-point Southwestern lead midway through the half, Jack Peck knocked down a three to make it a 21-20 Bulldog advantage with 10:40 to go.
Northwestern had an opportunity to go on the high side of the score with eight minutes to go after Clopton got to the rim for a layup. He drew a foul on the play and completed the three-point possession with the free-throw.
Following a push by the Bulldogs to try to open up the score, A.J. Jones came away with a steal with a minute remaining in the half to make it a one-point ballgame, but the Bulldogs added a few free-throws to close the half to take a 38-34 lead into the break.
The home team came out at halftime and make it a 12-point advantage with the help of an 11-3 run. Northwestern's lone basket in the stretch came with on a Peck three-pointer.
Bryant threw down a dunk to answer with an 11-2 run for the Rangers to get back within three with just under 12 minutes to go. However, Southwestern quickly answered with back-to-back threes on consecutive possessions to go back up 57-48.
With 9:52 to go in the game and the Rangers trailing by 10, Peck received the ball coming off a screen and knocked down a three while being fouled. Peck hit the free-throw for a four-point play. On the next Southwestern possession, Peck picked the pocked of Nick Shoemaker to start a fastbreak to make it a four-point game yet again.
Northwestern went on a 10-2 late in the second half to eventually take a lead on another Peck three-pointer, his fourth of the contest. Following a quick basket on the opposite end of the floor, Andres hit a jumper from the left side to make it 76-75 Rangers with 1:15 to go.
Bulldog sharpshooter Nick Shoemaker hit a three-point basket for the give the home team a two-point lead with 43 seconds to go before Bryant drew a foul and converted at the line to tie score and send the game to overtime.
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