Alva, Oklahoma - Northwestern hit the road to open their season with a nonconference game against Midwestern State University. The Rangers topped the Mustangs in a nail biter with a 67-64 final. The team strung together early 10-0 and 12-0 runs in the first half with outstanding defense to aid their success before closing out the win.
Senior Malik Parsons led offensively with 22 points and defensively with 12 rebounds. He was followed by Larry White with 13 points and Brian Free with 12. Parsons picked up his first double-double of the year.
1st Half:
Senior Malik Parsons opened up for Northwestern with a corner three pointer and swatted shot. Shavaul Butters contributed a right handed layup. Parsons picked up a fast break dunk to propel the Rangers into an early 7-0 lead, forcing the Mustangs into a timeout. Out of the timeout, Larry White fired off a three point play to further Northwestern's lead. Midwestern countered with a jumper to get on the board.
The Mustangs continued their run with two made free throws. Parsons fired off another three pointer and White sank two free throws to continue Northwestern's lead 15-6. Off the bench, Eric Hancik contributed a layup. Brian Free extended the Rangers lead to double digits with a top of the key three pointer. Midwestern halted Northwestern's 12-0 run with a three pointer and jumper. The Mustangs continued to run with a layup and three pointer to close the gap on the Rangers 23-19.
White ceased the Midwestern run with a dribble drive layup and blocked shot. The Mustangs answered back with two free throws. Free took the ball to the basket, sinking back to back floaters. White contributed another dribble drive layup. Midwestern fought back stringing together multiple runs to trail 31-30 with three minutes of play left.
Parsons answered back, driving the ball down full court and taking it to the rim for a layup. Midwestern countered with a top of the key three pointer. Free and Hancik contributed a free throw each to hold onto Northwestern's lead 35-33 going into halftime.
2nd Half:
Out of the timeout break, the Mustangs took advantage of their home court with a dunk to tie the game 35-35. Butters quickly responded with a layup. Kennedy Milton fired off a floater and three pointer to push the Rangers back into the lead. Midwestern countered with a layup and three point play to close the gap on Northwestern 44-42.
Off the bench, Chance Love fired off a layup and Jason Douglas-Stanley sank a three pointer. The Mustangs answered back with a deep three point shot to tie the game once more 48-48. Midwestern sank two free throws to take the lead for the first time in the game as Northwestern hit a four minute dry spell.
The Mustangs continued their run with another two free throws. Free ended their run with two free throws to leave the Rangers trailing 52-50. Midwestern fired back with a floater to extend their lead and force Northwestern into a timeout. White broke the dry spell with an offensive rebound and put back. The Mustangs sank back to back pairs of free throws to extend their lead to the largest of the game at 58-52.
White fired back for Northwestern with a floater from the free throw line. Parsons sank back to back free throws to close the deficit to one possession. Milton contributed a dribble drive floater to tie the match at 58-58. The Mustangs quickly responded with two free throws. Milton sank a free throw to leave the Rangers trailing by one. Midwestern dribble drove for a lap to extend their lead to three at 62-59.
Parsons hung on by knocking down back-to-back free throws for the Rangers. The Mustangs countered with two free throws. Parsons answered back by sinking back-to-back free throws and a layup to push Northwestern ahead 65-64. Parsons fired off two more free throws, scoring Northwestern's last eight points to clinch the victory for the Rangers 67-64.
The Rangers will return home facing off against Manhattan Christian College for another nonconference game. Tip off is set for Tuesday November 22nd at 7 PM.
