ALVA, OKLAHOMA - The Rangers returned home Saturday afternoon for the first of three straight home games. Northwestern's defense sparked the six point victory 56-50, which opened a double digit lead, which helped the Rangers lead for the majority of the game after the opening minutes as the Rangers led for over 17 minutes in the victory.
The Rangers improved to 7-5 in conference play and 9-9 overall on the season following the victory splitting the season series with the Tigers.Â
Northwestern had three double figure scorers in Brian Free and Camron McDowell with 14 points each along with Chance Love adding 12 points. Kebeya Tshibangu finished with six points and 10 rebounds which were a game high.Â
East Central opened the game with the first four points as both offenses struggled to start. Brian Free hit the Rangers first three pointer of the game scoring the first points three minutes into the game to cut the deficit back down to one. Free's second straight three pointer gave the Rangers their first lead of the game at 6-4 in which Northwestern led the rest of the way. Chance Love capped the Ranger run which stretched to 8-0 following the layup assisted by Camron McDowell.Â
After the Tigers ended the Ranger run a new 8-0 run was started by McDowell following an offensive rebound as the Rangers defense held the Tigers scoreless over the next two minutes This stretched the Ranger lead to double digits for the first time of the afternoon at 16-6 as Love led the team over the stretch with six points to give him eight halfway through the first half.Â
East Central answered back with a 5-0 run to cut the Ranger lead in half at 16-11 but the Rangers kept the Tigers at distance answering each run. Tshibangu first points of the game came on a layup from a Marquise Milton assist to extend the lead back to nine.Â
With 3:50 remaining in the first half a Brian Free three pointer pushed the lead back to double digits at 25-15 for his ninth point of the opening half. The Rangers carried the 10 point lead into halftime with a 29-19 advantage.
As East Central tried to make a comeback scoring the opening five points of the second half over the first minute and a half of game action before Chance Love silenced the run with a couple of foul shots to build the lead. The Tigers got their deficit as close as one at the time 33-32 before a McDowell hit back to back three pointers to push the Rangers back in the lead by seven at 39-32.Â
The Rangers lead was cut to three at the time when Brian Free and Kabeya Tshibangu paired for an alley-oop that sparked a Rangers' run that was closed off by a Brian Free three pointer for a 48-40 lead.Â
East Central continued to try and climb back into the game getting as close as 52-50 with 37 seconds left but Northwestern was able to seal the game at the foul line making four straight where the team finished a perfect 17-17 from the line in the win.Â
The win snaps a two game losing streak and opens the home stand with a win. Northwestern will have two straight at home with Southern Arkansas on February 1st followed by Arkansas Monticello on Saturday the 3rd.Â
For the latest news and updates on NWOSU Athletics, follow @NWOSUAthletics on TWITTER or visit www.riderangersride.com.
