Alva, Okla. - The Rangers closed out the regular season Saturday in a loss to Southeastern 91-60. Southeastern used a 13-0 run in the first half to take control of the Saturday night game against the Rangers.
Northwestern falls to a 20-8 overall record and a 15-7 conference record. Southeastern advances to a 23-5 overall record with a 17-4 conference record.
Bubba Furlong led the team with 20 points followed by Eric Hancik with 13 for the two Northwestern players in double figures. Furlong led in rebounds with 5, with Malik Parsons leading the team in assists with 3.
1st Half - Northwestern built off their win Thursday night with a strong opening to the game on the road. Off the tip, Larry White struck first on a fast break layup. Bubba Furlong contributed with a put back layup as the Rangers took a quick 4-0 lead. Neither team scored for the next two minutes as the Rangers held the Savage Sotor scoreless for the firs three minutes. Southeastern broke the silence with a 7-0 run. Furlong responded with a dunk. Malik Parsons contributed a jumper. The Savage Storm answered back with another 7-0 run establishing their lead 14-8 before the second media timeout.
Out of the commercial break, Furlong sank a free throw to close the gap on Southeastern. Brian Free contributed a three pointer for The Rangers. The Savage Storm responded with a 13-0 run leading into the third media timeout. Northwestern trailed 27-12. Out of the break and off the bench, Eric Hancik fired off a three pointer. White knocked down another three pointer to close the gap. Southeastern responded with a three pointer. White answered back with a jumper. The Savage Storm responded with a layup and three pointer to carry their lead into the final media timeout 37-20.
Out of the timeout, Furlong fired off a jumper for The Rangers. Southeastern quickly responded with a layup. Furlong answered back by sinking two free throws. White contributed a steal and fast break layup. Free finished off the 7-0 run with a three pointer. The Savage Storm broke Northwestern's run with two free throws. Furlong fired off a three pointer to close the gap leaving The Rangers trailing 41-32 at halftime after closing the half on a 10-2 run. Furlong led the team in points with 12 followed by White with 9. Furlong also led the team in rebounds with 5. Anthony Jones and Parsons each had 2 assists.
2nd Half - Southeastern furthered their lead out of halftime with a layup. Parsons responded with a layup and a jumper. The Savage Storm answered back with back to back three pointers. Furlong fired off a jumper. Southeastern responded with another three pointer extending their lead 58-38 at the first media timeout.
Following the media timeout, Anthony Jones finished a layup and free throw for Northwestern. The Savage Storm fired back with a three pointer. Off the bench, Hancik fired off another three pointer for his third of the game. Ravel Moody, off the bench, would contribute a jumper before the second media timeout, leaving Northwestern trailing 46-63.
Out of the commercial break, Moody sank a free throw. The Savage Storm responded with a layup and three pointer. Hancik answered back with a layup for The Rangers, 49-68, before the third media timeout. Out of the timeout, Southeastern scored six consecutive free throws. Furlong broke the run with a layup. Hancik knocked down a layup for The Rangers. The Savage Storm responded with a three pointer. Furlong fired off another jumper. Southeastern answered back silencing every Rangers comeback attempt this time with a layup advancing their lead 84-55 going into the final media timeout.
Out of the commercial break, Hancik sank a three pointer for Northwestern. The Savage Storm responded with a layup. before the Savage Storm would hold off the Rangers with a final of 91-60.
The Rangers closed the regular season as next up will be the Great American Conference tournament opening on Thursday and Friday in Shawnee, Oklahoma.
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