WEATHERFORD, Okla. – The Rangers looked to carry in momentum from Saturday afternoon's victory over Ouachita Baptist. Northwestern fell behind early on in the game but give credit to the Rangers for not giving up as they battled back to bring it within four late in the game but Southwestern was able to hold on for the victory 75-69. 
 
Northwestern was led by junior guard Parrish Hewitt who would finish the game leading all scorers with 23 points while bringing down four rebounds as well. He was followed by Clive Allen who finished the game with 14 points on 4-of-10 shooting, along with five assists Thursday evening. Jaedon Whitfield was the third and final double-digit scorer knotting 12 points along with bringing down nine rebounds, the leader for Northwestern. 

Southwestern was able to control this game from the start as they prevented Northwestern from holding a lead the entire game and the game only featured two even scores throughout. The Bulldogs opened up their largest lead at 20 points early in the second half but Northwestern marched back to bring it within four with 3:58 left to play in the game but Southwestern put the run to a halt, holding on for a 75-69 victory.
 
Marquis Johnson from Southwestern got the game rolling with a layup inside, which was quickly answer by Northwestern's jumper from Hewitt. After another tie early on at 5-5 from an Allen three ball, Southwestern would start their run. The Bulldogs would go on a 10-0 run in two minutes of game play putting them in front at 15-5 at the first media timeout. Out of the break Northwestern tried to cut into the deficit, however sensational shooting by the rivals kept the deficit in check. As they continued to increase the lead where at the halfway point in the first half the Bulldogs led 26-12.
 
After Johnson from Southwestern got the lead to 17, Northwestern would start a run which would be a 7-0 run led by, Whitfield and Cole Jones each hitting a three to shrink the gap to 10 points. However, the Bulldogs had a fast answer getting their lead right back to 18 before carrying a 17-point lead into halftime. The Bulldogs at the break led the Rangers 47-30. Rangers shot 9-of-24 in the first half including 5-15 from deep while Southwestern was able to shoot an outstanding number of 15-21 for 71% and 8-of-13 from three in the first half opening that 17-point lead.

Halftime would not slow down Southwestern at all as they extended their lead to 20 in the first minute from halftime on a Phil Baker layup. After that things would slowly begin to change in favor of the Rangers. A 9-1 run for Northwestern would close the gap to 12 led by a few Hewitt three pointers and an Allen layup. However, SWOSU would use three threes to bring their lead right back to 18 as they had an answer for everything Northwestern threw their way. The halfway mark in the second half featured a 66-47 lead for the rival from Weatherford.

A Hewitt three, and a layup followed by an Allen layup had the Rangers back within 12 in the matter of 55 second of game time. At the 6:56 mark after an Andrew Clopton layup brought the Rangers within eight having the game within single digits for the first time since the 11-minute mark in the first half. The Rangers continue to battle and battle getting back into this game. At the 3:28 mark left in the game Hewitt would drill a three bring the Rangers within four points at 71-67. 

Both Southwestern and Northwestern tightened their defenses as both teams would go on a three-minute scoreless drought keeping the game at 71-67 before Northwestern was forced to foul late in the game. Southwestern would capitalize at the foul line not allowing the Red-and-Black to get any closer. A Johnson free throw would finish the game off as Southwestern holds on for the win 75-69 Thursday evening.
 
Northwestern would finish the game 24-57, good for 42% from the field, 9-32 from 3-point range, and 12-20 from the foul line. 
 
The loss brings Northwestern to 5-10 on the season and 2-7 in Great American Conference play. The Rangers will return home Saturday afternoon for Hall of Fame weekend to take on Oklahoma Baptist, with tip-off at 3:00 p.m.