ALVA, OKLA- The Rangers' basketball team is set to open up a quick two game home stand against Arkansas-Monticello and Southern Arkansas. Thursday's night tip-off will be at 7:30 following the Lady Rangers game.
Northwestern (11-6 overall, 6-5 GAC) come into Thursday's game winners of their last two games. This will be the first or two meetings against the Weevils as their previous game was postponed and is set for a Jan. 31st make up date.
The Red-and-Black will look to carry in a strong offensive performance from last week scoring 83 points in both wins.
Northwestern has used a high ability to wide spread scoring through the first 17 games as Larry White is one of four Rangers averaging double figures on the season. White scores 14.6 points a game followed by Brian Free at 11.8 and Bubba Furlong also with 11.8 a game. Malik Parson is averaging 11.4 points per game. White and Furlong lead the team shooting 57% from the field.
Free has led the Rangers offense with 44 assists on the season. As a team Northwestern is averaging 14 assists per game which is ranked fourth in the conference. The Rangers as a team are second in the league in shooting at 49% from the field per game. Northwestern is in the middle of the conference in three point shooting ranked fifth in made three's and three point percentage.
The Rangers have taken advantage of second chance opportunities as the team ranks second in offensive rebounds per game led by Furlong at 3.12 for second in the conference.
The Ranger defense has been stifling this season as the team ranks second in field goal percentage defense holding their opponent to 42% shooting from the field. Opponents are averaging 69.9 points per game. Northwestern ranks second in the conference in steals and first in the conference in blocked shots per game with just over five at 5.1. White is first in the conference in steals with 33 on the season and third in steals per game at 1.94. This is matched with Furlong leading the conference in blocked shots with 42 and blocked shots per game at 2.47.
Scouting the Opponent:
The Weevils(8-7 overall and 4-5 GAC) enter Thursday's game on a three game losing streak following two losses last week to Southern Nazarene and Oklahoma Baptist. Monticello enters play with a 2-3 road record but winning their last road game over East Central.
The team comes in ranked 12th in scoring at 64.7 points per game but fifth in field goal percentage at 46.2%. Their offense is led by Richard Feagin at 13.1 points per game as one of three double figures scores for the Weevils joined by Josh Williams at 11.3 and Ray Price 11.1. Price leads the team with 46 assists on the season.
Monticello is led by their defense as they are the number one ranked team in scoring defense and sixth in the nation allowing 62.1 points per game. They come in forcing the second most turnovers in the conference. Price leads the team with 28 steals on the season and Wesley Booker leads the Weevils with seven blocks on the season.
History:
Northwestern trails the series history between the two teams 7-10 as the Rangers look to snap a five game losing streak against Arkansas Monticello. The Weevils took the last game in Alva 70-68. The two teams have not faced each other since January of 2020 after the first meeting this season was postponed.
Northwestern is 4-4 at home against Arkansas -Monticello as the Rangers will look for their first win against the Weevils since 2018.
Follow the Game:
watch:https://youtube.com/c/NWOSURangers
Wstats:https://riderangersride.com/sidearmstats/wbball/summary
mstats:https://riderangersride.com/sidearmstats/mbball/summary
radio:https://mixlr.com/classic-hits-1057-krdr/
For the latest news and updates on NWOSU Men's Basketball, follow @NWOSUAthletics on TWITTER or visit www.riderangersride.com.
