ALVA, OKLA - Northwestern Oklahoma State Men's basketball will carry in Thursday night's thrilling victory over Harding into the Saturday matchup against Arkansas Tech. This will end the Rangers three game road trip including the last two games in Arkansas before playing the next two in Alva.

The Rangers (10-6 overall, 5-5 GAC) come in winners of their last game after a 83-80 win over Harding after closing the game on a 5-0 run with all five points coming at the line. Northwestern comes in with a 3-3 road record. 
 

Northwestern comes into the Saturday matchup as a strong defensive and offensive team as the Rangers lead the conference in blocked shots and are seventh in the nation. Bubba Furlong leads the team averaging 2.56 per game with 41 total on the season. On top of blocks Northwestern is second in the conference in steals per game led by Larry White with 27 steals on the season. 
 

The balanced Rangers team is second in the conference in field goal percentage and is third in the conference in opponents field goal percentage. Northwestern comes in averaging 78.1 points per game while allowing 70.1 for exactly a +8 scoring margin. Northwestern shares the ball well ranked third in the conference in assists per game led by Brian Free with 43 assists on the year. 
 

The Red-and-Black are led in scoring by Larry White averaging 14.3 points per game as one of four double figure scorers for the Rangers.  He is joined by Bubba Furlong at 11.9, Brian Free 11.5 and Malik Parsons at 10.9. Free leads the team with 43 made three pointers and a percentage of 45.7%. 
 

Scouting Arkansas Tech:

The Wonder Boys enter play Saturday on a three game losing streak after dropping their last two games in overtime. They have dropped two straight in Russellville. They enter play 5-7 on the season with a 2-4 conference record including three straight losses. 
 

Arkansas Tech has seen a balanced attack so far offensively and defensively throughout the season. Their defense is the number one ranked team in opponent field goal percentage at 41.1% team shoot against Arkansas Tech. On top of the defense Arkansas Tech has been a solid rebounding team ranking second in offensive rebounds and second in rebounds per game. They are led by Tony Hall with 6.9 rebounds each game, followed by Niko Gosnell, and Czar Perry. Gosnell leads the team with 31 offensive rebounds on the season.
 

Perry is scoring 16.5 points a game as one of two double figure scorers joined by Hall at 12.5 points per game. Cameron Kennedy leads the team in three point shooting at 39% hitting 24 on the year through 12 games played for him. They come into the game averaging 70.8 points per game ranked eighth this year in the conference. '
 

One thing to watch in the Saturday afternoon game Northwestern is first in the conference in free throws attempted while Arkansas Tech is first in fewest fouls per game as the two teams go head to head.
 

History: 
 

Northwestern will look to continue their recent success against Arkansas Tech as the Rangers have won three of the last five games including two straight in close games as both wins were by single digits. Overall Tech leads the history 10-4 between the two programs with a 5-2 record in Russellville.