WEATHERFORD OKLAHOMA - Northwestern Oklahoma State fell in a close thrilling matchup Monday evening to rival Southwestern Oklahoma State 74-71. The game featured 14 ties and 11 lead changes in the loss. Southwestern used a 6-0 run to take a 68-62 lead in which they would not lose before closing out the 74-71 loss for Northwestern.

First Half:
Malik Parsons started the scoring in the game with a jumper to take a 2-0 lead. Southwestern responded with a 6-0 run to take their first lead of the game. Free silenced their run with a three to cut the deficit to 6-5. The game was later tied 10-10 with 15 minutes remaining following a Parsons three pointer. Free answered a Bulldogs spurt with a three to tie the game once again this time at 18-18 with 11:12 remaining in the opening half. The teams traded a couple baskets before a Jason Douglas-Stanley three pointer pushed Northwestern in front for the first time since 2-0. The game was tied a couple times and once more after Southwestern did so with just over eight minutes to play at 27-27.

Northwestern went on a quick 4-0 run from there taking a 31-27 lead following  back to back layups from Parsons. Southwestern responded with a 4-0 run to tie the game back at 31 with 6:48 to play. Eric Hancik foul shots followed by a layup from Douglas Stanley had Northwestern back in front. It was 38-38 with four minutes to play in the half. After Southwestern took a 40-39 lead over the Rangers Chance Love followed by Shavaul Butter layup pushed Northwestern in front 43-40 at the halftime break.

Second Half:
Northwestern trying to hold onto the small lead as Larry White opened the scoring following a couple foul shots as Northwestern held a three point advantage. The game was tied at 50-50 with 15:43 in the second half following two foul shots from the Bulldogs. A Douglas- Stanley shot put Northwestern up by two points as the game went into a two minute scoring drought following the shot. The defensive intensity picked up in the second half. Southwestern ended the scoring drought at the foul line as they tied the score at 52-52.

The game bounced back and forth a few times as the game kept going back to a tie score at 60-60 with 7:52 remaining in the game. Love pushed Northwestern in front with a layup. Following a four point possession for Southwestern they took a 68-62 lead over the Rangers. The game remained that way from 5:45 through 4:12 left in the game before Parsons ended the drought with 4:12 remaining. Parsons knocked down a jump shot with 2:26 remaining. Southwestern grew the lead to three but Northwestern quickly brought it back down to one at 70-69. As the lead grew to four at 73-69 Parsons hit a midrange jump shot to bring it back down to two. Southwestern hit one foul shot and Northwestern came up empty on the final possession. Southwestern held on for a 74-71 victory over Northwestern,.

The Rangers will be back in action on Thursday and Saturday at home with Thursday a 7:30 tip-off and Saturday at 3:00 PM for the Northwestern 2023 Hall of Fame game.