ALVA, Okla.- Northwestern would fall in their final regular season game of the season 74-66 to the Tigers of East Central Saturday night. The Tigers would use a 14-2 run to start the second half after trailing at halftime. East Central would take a 46-41 at that point early in the 2nd half. '

The Rangers fall to 3-11 on the season and 1-11 in Great American Conference play. The Tigers of East Central are now 9-8 on the year and in conference play. 

Northwestern was led by Deon Barrett with 22 points on senior night. Barrett contributed five assists and five rebounds in the afternoon as well. Parrish Hewitt continued his success as he was the only other Ranger in double figures with 16 points. Bubba Furlong finished with a team high nine rebounds. Justin Blunt finished with seven points five rebounds in 13 minutes of work. Matej Drgon finished with seven points and five rebounds off the bench. 

The Rangers got off to a slow start after Furlong opened the game up with a layup. The Tigers responded with a 12-0 run led by Jakeem Acres and Jalen Crutchfield. The first media timeout the Rangers trailed 12-2 from a strong Tigers defensive attack. 

Right out of the media timeout after the Rangers trailed 16-4 the Rangers started their comeback with a 9-0 run bringing them back within one. Garriga ended the run with a three pointer putting the Tigers back up four. A Hewitt three locked us at 20 all right at the under eight media timeout. 

Hewitt scored even the game back at 24 as he got off to a fast start in this one with 12 of the first Rangers 24 points. The Rangers and Tigers were locked at 29 when the Rangers made their final move off the half finishing on a 8-3 run. Jack Peck would score the final five points of the half to send the Rangers into the break with a 37-32 lead. 

Barrett started the second half scoring for the Rangers putting them up seven but the Tigers would climb back. After a 39-32 lead for the home team the Tigers went on a 10-0 run to regain the lead at 42-39. Josh Apple of the Tigers scored six of those points  along with Acres in the run. 

The Tigers would take a 46-41 lead into the second media timeout as the Ranger offense started to struggle. The halfway point of the second half a Jalen Crutchfield steal and layup would put the visitors up by eight. 

Northwestern would try to answer the Tiger run but they would have a response every time the Rangers would cut into the deficit. Drgon would score five straight for the Rangers bringing them back within five at 58-53.

The Tigers would regrow their lead to eight at 69-61. Deon Barrett would hit at three with under a minute left to bring the score at 71-66 but the Tigers would close the game out at the foul line with hitting their final three foul shots putting the game out of reach. The Tigers would win this one 74-66. 

The Red-and-Black will start postseason play on Monday as they take a trip to Ada, Oklahoma for a rematch against the Tigers. Their game will begin at 7:30 at the conclusion of the Lady Rangers game which tips-off at 5:30.


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