Alva, Okla. - The Rangers extend their three game winning streak Thursday by defeating the Crimson Storm, 63-60. Both teams battled back and forth trading points the entirety of the game. Northwestern went down seven at 52-45 before going on a 13-6 run to tie the game at 58-58 followed by Bubba Furlong regaining the lead for the Rangers at the line with two foul shots late to go up 59-58. This would help lead the Rangers to closing out the 63-60 win.

This win advances Northwestern to a 20-7 overall record and a 15-6 conference record. Southern Nazarene drops to a 18-9 overall record with a 13-8 conference record.

Bubba Furlong led the team in points with 17 followed closely by Brian Free with 16. Furlong also led in rebounds with 11. Free also led in assists with 6. Furlong finished with his 6th double double of the season and 11th of his career at Northwestern.  

1st Half - The Crimson Storm were first to fire off a three pointer to open the final home game of the season. Senior Bubba Furlong responded for Northwestern with a reverse layup. Southern Nazarene answered back with two free throws and a layup to take an early five-point lead. The Crimson Storm led 7-2 going into the first media timeout. 

Out of the commercial break, Brian Free sank a three pointer to close the gap. Southern Nazarene quickly responded with a layup. Anthony Jones contributed two free throws for Northwestern. Furlong added an additional layup to tie the game 9-9 at the second media timeout as Furlong earned two foul shots into the break. Furlong sank two free throws out of the timeout to put The Rangers ahead. The Crimson Storm responded with a layup. Off the bench, Eric Hancik knocked down two free throws for Northwestern. The Rangers held onto their lead 13-11 going into the third media timeout. 

Southern Nazarene responded with a three pointer pushing them back in front at 14-13. Furlong answered back with a reverse layup. Free sank a three pointer to extend Northwestern's lead to 18-13. The Crimson Storm answered back with a jumper. An astounding contested layup and free throw from Free for a three point play kept The Ranger out in front. Southern Nazarene fired off a corner three to close the gap. Free responded for Northwestern with his second three of the night. Larry White contributed a layup. Both teams continued to go point for point. Off the bench, Ravel Moody added an additional three pointer to keep The Rangers ahead 30-24 going into the final media timeout of the half. 

Southern Nazarene made two free throws off a one-and-one to cut into the Ranger lead. White responded for The Rangers with a dunk keeping the Red-and-Black in front. The Crimson Storm answered back with a layup. Off the bench, Chance Love got to the line knocking down a free throw for Northwestern. Malik Parsons fired off a jumper to extend The Ranger lead at the end of the half, 35-28. Free and Furlong led Northwestern with 9 points each. Parsons led in rebounds with 4 and assists with 3.

2nd Half - The Rangers came out of halftime strong with a jumper from Jones. The Crimson Storm responded with a three point play. Furlong contributed a layup for Northwestern to keep their lead. Southern Nazarene fired back with a floater and layup to close the gap 39-35 going into the first media timeout. 

Parsons knocked down a free throw out of the timeout to hold onto The Ranger lead. The Crimson Storm responded with a 7-0 run to take the lead 42-40 for their first lead since the opening half. This run would carry into the second media timeout. Out of the commercial break, Moody sank a three pointer to regain The Ranger lead. The Crimson Storm responded with a three pointer and layup to re-establish a five point lead. Parsons fired off a three pointer for Northwestern. The Crimson Storm responded with a dunk and three pointer to extend their lead 52-45. 

Furlong answered back with a layup. Free contributed a jumper to close the gap. The Rangers trailed 54-49 going into the third media timeout. Out of the timeout, Free fired off a three pointer for Northwestern. The Crimson Storm responded with two free throws to keep their lead. Jones fired off a three beating the shot clock buzzer to make it a one point game, 56-55, game with four minutes remaining. Southern Nazarene responded with a dunk to hold their lead going into the final media timeout 58-55. 

Out of the commercial break, Furlong contributed a layup to make it a one point game once more with one minute remaining. Furlong then sank two free throws to put The Rangers ahead 59-58 completing the 15-6 run. White fired off a jumper to extend Northwestern's lead 61-58 with 10 seconds remaining. Two free throws by Free secured The Ranger victory over the Crimson Storm 63-60. 

The Rangers face off against The Savage Storm this Saturday at 3:00 PM. Northwestern looks to extend their four game winning streak on the road in Durant.