ALVA, OKLAHOMA - Northwestern Oklahoma State beat Harding Thursday evening 80-64 Thursday evening. The Rangers used a 19-3 run midway through the second half to take full momentum of the game building a 16 point lead of 58-42 with 9 minutes left in the game.
The win improves the Red-and-Black to 8-8 on the season with a 4-8 record in conference play as Harding drops to 5-13 on the season with an 1-11 record in the GAC.
Northwestern used a spread out attack as the Rangers had four players in double figures led by Larry White with 18 points, followed by Malik Parsons, Brian Free, and Kennedy Milton. White finished with a double-double adding 10 rebounds on the evening. Free led the team in assists with eight.
Northwestern opened the game with the first four points of the game following back to back dunks first from Shavaul Butters followed by Kennedy Milton off a steal for a fast break dunk. Harding answered back with five quick points to take a 5-4 lead over the Rangers. The teams went back and forth trading points as Harding grabbed a 9-8 lead over the Rangers into the first media timeout of the night.
Out of the break Larry White hit a jump shot to push the Rangers in front. Harding answered back taking a 14-10 lead. Harding held the four point lead through the 13 minute mark of the half. The Bison opened their largest lead of the half at 24-18 with 8:20 left in the first half following a three pointer by Sam Henderson. The Rangers drilled three straight three pointers to regain the lead at 27-24. The first one hit by Butters followed by White before Free gave the Rangers the lead 27-24 with 6:20 left in the half. Harding followed that run by answering and regaining the lead at 28-27.
Northwestern went on a quick 5-0 run to take a 32-28 lead on foul shots by Larry White followed by a layup by Malik Parsons for a 32-28 lead over Harding. Hardin hit a buzzer beat layup to cut the score to 32-30 at halftime.
Brian Free drilled a three pointer to start the second half to open a 35-30. Harding tied the game at 35-35 answering the Rangers' run. The game remained tied to 39-39 with 16:55 left in the game as Chance Love tied the game with a layup.
The Ranger intensity defensively picked up taking all momentum from Harding as the Rangers went on a 19-3 run opening a 16 point lead. Free started the run on a mid range jumper following a crossover. Kennedy Milton scored six of the next eight points for the Rangers. Free stole the ball before a White offensive rebound set up a dunk by Love to extend the Ranger lead to 51-42. After a two minute scoring drought Parson ended the drought pushing the lead to 11 for Northwestern. Free and Jason Douglas-Stanley pushed the lead to 16.
Harding cut it to 12 with 7:41 left to play before a Free three pointer pushed it right back to 15 with 6:30 left as the Rangers led 61-46. Larry White pushed the Ranger lead to 19 on a dunk by Larry White. Love hit a three to silence a Harding run to make the score at 72-53. Harding finished a layup by Smithson for a 72-60 deficit. Northwestern closed out the 80-64 victory as Larry White put the finishing touches on the game with a layup.
Northwestern will look to make it two straight wins as the Rangers host the Wonder Boys of Arkansas Tech Saturday afternoon at 3:00 PM for the Hall of Fame game.
