ALVA, Okla.- Northwestern Oklahoma State returned to action Thursday evening against Southwestern. The Bulldogs defeated the Rangers 99-66 after a strong first half for the visiting rival. Southwestern will improve to 5-2 in conference play while dropping NWOSU to 2-2 on the season and 0-2 in the conference. 

The Bulldogs were led by Damion Thornton, as he finished the game with a game-high 20 points. SWOSU would have four other double-digit scorers in the game as Kamden Gipson (13), Greg Policard (13), Bralyn James (12), and Livingston Cleare (11). 

Northwestern was led by Bubba Furlong as he finished with a double-double with 13 points along with a game-high 17 rebounds. Parrish Hewitt tied a team-high with 13 points on the evening, as Derrick White Jr. had a season-high 12 points. Deon Barrett rounded out the double-digit scoring for the Rangers with 11 points. 

The Rangers versus Bulldogs game opened with a scoring battle between the two teams. Southwestern opened the game on a 5-0 run before the red-and-black quickly answered with a 7-0 run to go up 7-5. The run was led by Furlong with two shots inside the paint. Southwestern would counter with a run led by Thornton to open a 16-10 lead. Hewitt would respond to Thornton with a three to cut the deficit in half for the Rangers. 

At about the halfway point in the first half, the Rangers were able to even the score from a Barrett triple making the game tied at 22 apiece. SWOSU would answer with an 11-0 run to build separation. Southwestern would continue their run finishing the half on a 21-8 run to open a halftime lead of 52-30. 

The beginning of the second half was no different than the first half as a lot of scoring to open it with 17 points between the two teams in the opening 2:30 of the second half. Hewitt opened the Rangers' second-half scoring with six of the Rangers' first nine points of the half. Southwestern would eventually open up a 39 point lead in the second half. Rangers would close out the game on a 6-0 run led by White. The final score in favor of the Bulldogs 99-66. 

Northwestern will look to bounce back on Thursday evening with another Great American Conference matchup in Percefull Fieldhouse at 7:30 PM as the Rangers take on the Tigers of East Central following the Lady Rangers game starting at 5:30. 

For the latest news and updates on NWOSU Men's Basketball, follow @NWOSUAthletics on TWITTER or visit www.riderangersride.com.