Box Score TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - Northwestern Oklahoma State closed out their opening weekend against #9 ranked Central Oklahoma. The Rangers fell in their second straight game after a slow start to the second half proved costly after UCO went on a 8-0 run to build a 13 point lead they would not let go.
Northwestern falls to 0-2 on the season as Central Oklahoma moves to 4-0. Brian Free led the team with eight points with Kabeya Tshibangu, and Larry White each with six points. Free and Camron McDowell each had four rebounds for a team high.
Larry White opened the scoring in the first half with a jump shot inside the paint taking an early 2-0 lead. Justin Norris was able to regain the lead hitting the Rangers first three pointer of the season. This ended a three minute scoring drought between the two teams after UCO took a 4-2 lead.
A defensive first half continued through the opening half as Central Oklahoma held a 10-7 lead halfway through first half before extending their lead to nine following back to back three pointers capped off by Mike Quick for a 16-7 lead with nine minutes left in the first half. As the Ranger scoring drought continued Central Oklahoma knocked down their third three pointer pushing their run to 11-0 and taking 19-7 lead.
Tshibangu ended the UCO run after it reached 14-0 following a three pointer, as Kabeya finished a layup to end the Rangers seven minute scoring drought. Northwestern was able to cut into the deficit before the half ended as Tshibangu knocked down another shot, this one off the fast break followed by a three pointer by DaRaun Clark and Brian Free as the deficit was back in single digits now 25-17. Larry White continued the run with back to back jump shots for four straight of his own points to cut it to four at 25-21.
Central Oklahoma was able to take advantage of a foul right before the break though hitting three foul shots with four seconds left to push their lead back to seven at the half with a score of 28-21.
With the Ranger deficit still seven in the opening minutes trailing 30-23, Central Oklahoma scored six straight to build a 36-23 lead over Northwestern with 16:30 left in the game. Justin Norris hit his second three of the game as the Rangers looked to climb back in the game but the Central Oklahoma offense continued to answer.
The Bronchos had their largest lead at 21 with 9:04 remaining in the game at 49-28 before Brian Free put an end to their run at 49-31.The closest the Rangers were able to get back to was 14 points following baskets by Chance Love and Kabeya Tshibangu both on the fastbreak following defensive rebounds as the Rangers trailed 51-37.
Central Oklahoma was able to close out the victory over the Rangers with a final score of 58-41 after Norris knocked down the final shot of the game.
The Rangers will be off until Wednesday when the team plays their home opener and their first of three straight home games, first with Oklahoma Panhandle State November 15th with tip-off set for 7:00 PM.
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