Men's Basketball February 20, 2021

Rangers Look for Road Win Saturday in Shawnee

ALVA, Okla.- The Northwestern Oklahoma State Basketball team travels to Shawnee, Oklahoma to, take on Oklahoma Baptist for the second time this season. The Rangers, coming off a 61-54 loss to Southern Nazarene on Thursday. While, Oklahoma Baptist Thursday's game was canceled, to inclement weather. Their last game was Saturday the 13th in an 84-78 victory over Southwestern.

The Saturday afternoon tilt will feature a defensive matchup between these two teams. Both OBU and NWOSU are in the top half of the conference in points allowed per game. The Bison, fourth at 68.8 with, the Rangers close behind at six at 70.8 points per game. Rangers continue to lead the league in three-point defense allowing opponents to shoot 30% from beyond the arc. The Bison are sixth in the league scoring 72.1 points per game, with the Rangers 11th at 66.3 per game.

Rangers head coach is Vinay Patel as he continues his second season with the program with a record of 12-26 and 100-82 overall at the collegiate level.

The Rangers are led by Parrish Hewitt, coming off his seventh consecutive double-figure scoring game and ninth out of 10 on the season. The Memphis native leads the Rangers in scoring at 14.7 points per game on the year while adding 6.9 rebounds along the way. The 14.7 points are 12th in the Great American Conference this season. Deon Barrett is second on the team at 10.8 points per game. He is averaging 5.2 assists per game, which is third in the GAC and 26th in the NCAA DII season. The third player in double figures is Jack Peck at 10.4 points per game on 40% shooting from the field. Bubba Furlong has been the leader on the defensive end with a league-leading 2.6 blocks per game. The blocks per game are also second nationally in Division II. His total block of 26th is fifth in the league. Furlong averages the most rebounds in the GAC at 9.9 per game and is 18th on the national level. He is falling just shy of 10 points averaging 98 points on the season.

Oklahoma Baptist:

The Bison of Oklahoma Baptist will be returning to action Saturday following their Thursday postponed game. Their last game came back on Saturday the 13th in an 84-78 victory over Southwestern. Oklahoma Baptist was led by Harrison Stoddart, with 25 points in that Saturday game. The Bison come into the game-winner in four of their last five games.

Jason Eaker is the head coach of Oklahoma Baptist with a 48-27 career record at the collegiate coaching level and a 39-19 conference record. He is currently in his third season with the Bison program.

Stoddart is the Bison leading scorer on the season at 14.7 as one of four players averaging double figures on the season. His 14.7 has him tied for 12th in the GAC with Parrish Hewitt. Brantly Thompson is second on the team with 14.3 points per game on the season, followed by Jarius Hicklen at 14.3 and Jaquan Simms at 10.8 points. Nigel Wilcox is the teams leading rebounder at 8.2 per game for fifth in the GAC. Thompson is the team leader in assists at 53 on the season. The 53 is 3.8 assists per game, which is fifth in the conference.

History:

The Rangers come into this game looking to snap a four-game losing streak against the Bison, including one loss this year. The last Northwestern win over Oklahoma Baptist came in December of 2018, with the latest win at Oklahoma Baptist was in February of 2018. With a win on Saturday, the Rangers will, even the season series against the Bison.

In the first meeting of the season, the Bison won 69-59, as Stoddart led the Bison with 17 points. Peck led the Rangers with 30 points in the game on 10-16 shooting.

In the last five meetings, the Rangers are 1-4 against the Bison overall. With a 2-3 record in the previous five games in Shawnee. Oklahoma Baptist leads the series history between the two teams at 32-17 overall and 16-5 in games played at Oklahoma Baptist.

Team Comparisons:

Northwestern Oklahoma State 2-8, (0-8):	Oklahoma Baptist 10-4,(10-4):
Points per game: 66.3 Points allowed: 70.7	Points Per game: 72.1 Points allowed:68.8
Rebounds: 41.6	Rebounds: 36.9
Assist per game: 14.0	Assist Per Game: 14.8
Turnovers Per game:14.9	Turnovers Per Game: 13.1
Blocks: 5.1	Blocks:3.4
Steals: 4.6	Steals: 4.2

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

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Players Mentioned

#4 Parrish Hewitt: G; 6' 3"; Senior

#10 Jack Peck: G; 6' 4"; Redshirt Senior

#1 Deon Barrett: G; 5' 10"; Senior

#23 Bubba Furlong: C; 6' 9"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#4 Parrish Hewitt
: 6' 3"; Senior
: G

#10 Jack Peck
: 6' 4"; Redshirt Senior
: G

#1 Deon Barrett
: 5' 10"; Senior
: G

#23 Bubba Furlong
: 6' 9"; Senior
: C