RUSSELLVILLE, ARKANSAS - Northwestern Oklahoma State had their first of three straight road games starting Thursday night against Arkansas Tech. The Rangers went on the road and earned the fifth straight victory following a heavily defensive matchup where Northwestern led for over the majority of the game. Camron McDowell hit a three pointer to take a 57-54 lead before closing a 63-54 win after a 9-0 run in a minute.
Northwestern improves to 8-7 on the season with a 6-3 conference record.
The Rangers were led by three players in double figures Larry White with 14 points, Brian Free at 12 points and Marquis Milton with 11 on the evening. White led the team with five rebounds.
After winning the tip-off White took advantage on the opening possession knocking down a three pointer to start the game for an early 3-0 lead. White then forced a steal on Shaffer before a fast break turnover led to a layup for a 5-0 lead before Arkansas Tech had their first points with 18:28 left to play in the half. A Brian Free three pointer gave the Rangers a 10-4 lead the largest at the time in the early part of the game.
Arkansas Tech got back within one on a three pointer by Taelon Peter cutting it down to a 10-9 lead for the Rangers. After the game was locked at 11, McDowell hit his first three pointer of the game to regain the lead at 14-11 to start an 11-0 run for the Rangers that Brian Free capped off for a 22-11 lead after a Marquise Milton steal. Overall Rangers hit three three pointers on the run, the other by Kennedy Milton.
The Wonder Boys tried to get back to even with a run as they were able to cut the deficit to five at 25-20 with 3:42 remaining in the half by Larry White scored four straight for the Rangers followed by Kennedy Milton to quickly push the lead back to nine at 31-22. Peter hit a three pointer at the final second for a 31-25 Rangers lead at the halftime break.
Arkansas Tech was first to strike in the second half but Larry White answered the two points on the other end to maintain the lead. It was a Chance Love three pointer that pushed the Ranger lead back to nine at 40-31. Arkansas Tech continued to slowly cut into the Ranger deficit at two after a couple of Peter foul shots as the score was 41-39 following the 9-1 run.
M. Milton however answered back with a three pointer at the 10:31 mark, starting the Ranger next run as a put back layup from Tshibangu and a layup from Milton had the Rangers back up nine at 48-39. Kade Shaffer stopped the run though with a three as Arkansas Tech made their move.
Arkansas Tech took their first and only lead of the night on a Brooks layup to cap a 10-0 run for the home team and a 49-48 lead. Tshibangu however answered with a layup to regain the lead. Chance Love followed with a layup to go back up by three points. Tech answered before Larry White had an offensive rebound as he finished a put back dunk swinging the momentum in the Rangers favor with a 54-51 lead.
With 2:26 left Arkansas Tech hit a three pointer from Kamarad to tie the game at 54-54 before McDowell out of the timeout hit a three pointer from the corner to take the lead for the final time. The Rangers led 57-54. Northwestern forced a turnover leading to a Brian Free layup and a five point lead. The Rangers closed out the win at the foul line as Marquise Milton hit four straight to close out the 63-54 victory.
Northwestern will be back in action on Saturday afternoon at 3:00 PM as the Rangers will go against conference opponent Harding University.
