Weatherford, Okla. - The Rangers topped rival Southwestern Oklahoma State Bulldogs 53-48. A solid end of the half finish combined with a defensive battle through the game even late into the second half allowed Northwestern to build on their lead for the win.
This victory advances Northwestern to a 17-7 overall record and a 12-6 conference record. With the win Northwestern has clinched a spot in the Great American Conference playoffs. Southwestern falls to a 9-13 overall record with a 8-9 conference record.
Malik Parsons led The Rangers in points with 19. Parsons also led in rebounds with 7 while leading the team in assists and steals along with three other players. Larry White was the only other double figure scorer with 10 points. As a team the Rangers finished with 16 steals in the game.
1st Half - The Bulldogs of Southwestern were first to strike with a three point shot. Both teams would settle into a possession battle and neither scored for the next two minutes as Southwestern continued to hold a three point lead. Brian Free broke the scoring silence from the Rangers with a three pointer to tie the game. The Bulldogs quickly responded with two free throws. Northwestern trailed by two 5-3 going into the first media timeout of the game. The Bulldogs sank two free throws out of the commercial break. Neither team would score again for the next three minutes. The Bulldogs fired off a three pointer. Malik Parsons contributed two free throws for The Rangers. Off the bench, Ravel Moody would add a layup. Southwestern responded with a layup keeping their lead 11-8 before the second media timeout.
Out of the commercial break, Chance Love came off the bench, quickly making an impact as he knocked down a layup for Northwestern. A steal and dunk by Parsons tied the game at 12-12 with ten minutes remaining. The Bulldogs responded with a layup. Parsons fired back with a three point play. Southwestern answered back with a three pointer to regain the lead 17-15 going into the third media timeout.
As the final four minutes were ready to play following the final media timeout Parsons scored a layup to tie the game once more. Moody contributed two free throws for Northwestern. The Bulldogs quickly responded with a three pointer. Off the bench, Jalen Smith fired off a jumper for The Rangers. Neither team scored for the next two minutes again as the defensive battle continued to impact the game. Moody extended The Ranger lead 23-20 with a layup. Southwestern responded with a free throw. Northwestern led 23-21 going into halftime. Parsons led the team in points with 9 and rebounds with 5. Both Parsons and Moody led in steals with 2 each.
2nd Half - Northwestern built off the closing minutes of the first half carry their momentum into the second half by striking first with a three pointer from Larry White. Anthony Jones finished a layup to extend The Ranger lead 30-21 opening the second half on a 7-0 run. Southwestern responded with two free throws and a layup. White fired back with a floater jump shot.
Southwestern answered back with a layup and a free throw leaving them trailing 32-28 into the second media timeout.
Out of the commercial break and off the bench, Moody scored a dribble drive layup for The Rangers. Southwestern quickly responded to close the gap with a layup and a jumper. Off the bench, Eric Hancik answered back with a free throw for Northwestern. Parsons contributed by finishing a layup to further The Ranger lead 37-33 as the Rangers continued to keep the Bulldogs away.
The Bulldogs sank two free throws in response trying to comeback. Parsons fired back with a floating jumper. Brian added a steal and layup. The Bulldogs responded with a lay up. White answered back with a layup before Jones contributed two free throws. Southwestern responded with a two point play but Parsons sunk a free throw to hold The Ranger lead. Southwestern fired back with a mid range jump shot. Parsons put the game away with two additional free throws to ensure The Ranger victory over The Bulldogs 53-48 for two of his 19 points in the game. Northwestern's defense caused issues for Southwestern after forcing 26 turnovers including 16 steals and holding the Bulldogs to 33% shooting from the field.
The Rangers will be back in action this week on their home court as they take on Arkansas Tech Thursday followed by playing host to Harding Saturday. Tip off in Percefull Fieldhouse against The Wonder Boys is set for 7:30 PM Thursday night.
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