ALVA, Okla. – The Rangers looked to bring the two game losing streak to an end Saturday afternoon which they did exactly that with a solid 83-77 victory over Ouachita Baptist. Northwestern never trailed after the 12:21 mark left in the first half, as they used a 10-3 run to create a little distance and never looked back on it.
Northwestern was led by junior guard Parrish Hewitt who finished the game with 25 points including six threes along with four rebounds. The only other double-digit scorer was Jaedon Whitfield who finished the game with 17 points and seven rebounds. After those two there was a balanced scoring effort with Nate Bailey finishing with nine, Clive Allen added eight points.
The Black-and-Red saw the game even six times and had two lead changes through the game but for the most part was controlled by the Rangers. The Tigers brought the game within one but a Hewitt three pushed it back to four at 53-49 and Northwestern would never let the Ouachita get much closer.
Whitfield would get the scoring start in this one with a jump shot followed by an Allen three, along with a Jack Peck three to open the game on an 8-0 run for the Rangers. However, the Tigers would answer with their own 8-0 run to even the score at eight. Each team would score 10 points in the next two in half minutes causing an even score of 18-18 at the halfway point in the first half as the Rangers were in a tight battle.
Bryshon Bryant would give the Rangers the lead back with a layup putting them in front 20-18. A Peck three, followed by a Hewitt follow shot capped a 6-0 run to give the Rangers a 24-18 lead which they would strongly hold onto. NWOSU got aggressive accepting opportunities at the foul line scoring six straight from the line. Back to back Cole Jones threes' put the Rangers at their largest lead of 11 in the game at 34-23. The Tigers would close the first half with a 5-0 run to cut the gap to six. Northwestern's stifling first half defense held the Tigers to 9 of 24 shooting. While Northwestern was a little better at 11-29 but hit seven three pointers to give them the advantage at halftime.
Northwestern led the Tigers 34-28 at the break.
The second half started with a strong adjustment by the Tigers to quickly even the score at 35 opening on a 7-1 run in the half. However, that was the last time the game would see an even score, as Northwestern would slowly start to gain an advantage. After the teams would go back and forth scoring most of the next five minutes, a Whitfield free throw and a David Thornton layup had the Rangers winning 56-51 halfway through the second half. Every time the Tigers would try and inch closer the Rangers had an answer of their own.
A Hewitt three brought the lead to eight at 59-51 that would create a margin that the game would stay around for most of the end of the game. The Tigers got as close to five points in the game but Whitfield knocked down a pair of free throws and Allen made a jumper bringing the lead right back to nine. Once the lead was once again cut to five A.J. Jones was there to stop the run this time followed by another three by Hewitt bringing the lead to 73-64. The Tigers started fouling hoping the Rangers would miss down the stretch, however the Rangers would keep the game at a distance hitting their foul shots. Free throws from Cole Jones and A.J. Jones would bring the win to a six point victory.
Northwestern defeated Ouachita Baptist 83-77 Saturday afternoon.
Northwestern would finish the game 24-52 good for 46.2% from the field, 14-34 from 3-point range, and 21-36 from the foul line. The Tigers would finish 26-56 for 46%, 9-24 from deep and 16-20 from the foul line.
The win brings Northwestern to 5-9 on the season and 2-6 in Great American Conference play. The Rangers will travel to Weatherford on Thursday to take on the rival Bulldogs of Southwestern Oklahoma State University at 7:30pm.
