Alva, Okla. - Northwestern Oklahoma State had their two game win streak snapped Thursday evening following a 83-73 loss to Southwestern. The Bulldogs used a 9-2 run late in the half to take control of the half pushing their lead to double digits leading to the 10 point loss for the Rangers.
The loss drops Northwestern to 9-5 on the season with a 4-4 conference record, as the Bulldogs improve to 4-9 on the year with a 3-5 conference record.
Larry White led the team with 20 points Thursday evening as one of three double figure scorers. Anthony Jones concluded the game with 12 along with Brian Free having 11 on the night. Bubba Furlong led the team with 10 rebounds and four blocks.
1st Half - The Southwestern Bulldogs started out strong with an early 8-0 run on the Rangers to open the game. Larry White answered back with a steal and layup for Northwestern to get the scoring started for the home team. Ravel Moody built off Whites momentum by adding another layup as well before a three-pointer to put the score at 10-9 in favor of the Bulldogs. Moody tied the game at 12-12 with a three pointer straight out of the opening media timeout. Eric Hancik gave the Rangers their first lead of the game after hitting back-to-back three pointers. A defensive rebound by Chance Love allowed The Rangers to keep this lead heading into the second media timeout following a defensive stand. Following the timeout Hancik sunk another three, his third of the half to put the Rangers on their next run. A missed layup and turnover by the Rangers allowed the Bulldogs to score and tie the game back up at 27-27 though going into the next media timeout.
Out of the break Southwestern would go on a 9-1 run to gain an eight point lead over the Rangers that they would never lose. Southwestern pushed their lead to double digits at 47-35 over the Rangers at the break. White led the Rangers with 10 in the half followed by Hancik with 9 and Moody with 8.
2nd Half -
Northwestern opened the second half fast as Free would knock down a three pointer in the opening seconds of the half as the Rangers attempted their comeback. The Bulldogs would answer back though with five straight from the field. Larry White would knock down a jumper pushing the deficit back to single digits at the opening half media timeout in the second. Out of the break though Southwestern hit back-to-back three pointer shots to give Southwestern a 16 point lead back at 63-47 midway through the second half. With 8:52 left in the game Southwestern opened their largest lead of the game at 17 points 68-51 before Northwestern went on a strong run trying to pull off a second half comeback. Northwestern would go on a 12-1 run lead by Anthony Jones with five of the points to cut the deficit down to six at 69-63. The Rangers shot 4 of 5 from the field while holding Southwestern to 0-3. Two Southwestern three's from Braggs and Williams put the deficit back into double digits for the Rangers.
The Red-and-Black would then cut the deficit back down to six at 77-71 with 2:48 left to play but a scoring drought put a stop to the run. Northwestern would go the next two minutes without a point as the Bulldogs got the lead back to 10 at 83-73 in the final seconds of the game.
Southwestern topped the Rangers Thursday evening with an 83-73 victory.
Northwestern will return to action on Saturday as the team travels to Shawnee, Oklahoma to take on Oklahoma Baptist with tip-off set for 3:00 PM.
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