ALVA, OKLAHOMA - Northwestern Oklahoma State Men's Basketball hosted the Adams State Grizzlies on Saturday afternoon. The Rangers closed the first half strong, before continued the momentum into the second half to open an 18 point lead in the second half before closing out the 84-75 win over Adams State.

Northwestern improves to 3-2 on the season as Adams State falls to 3-3 on the year. 

The Rangers in the win were led by Max Alexander with 28 points, seven assists, and five rebounds. Justin Norris posted his first double-double of the season with 12 points along with 11 rebounds for a team high. Rangers finished with four double figure scorers in total with DaRaun Clark having 12, and Kenyon Holcombe adding 11 points with six rebounds.

The two teams battled defensively to open the game as the Rangers and Grizzlies were tied 0-0 three minutes into the game before Cameron Kimble of Adams State hit the game's first shot for the 2-0 lead. Daraun Clark hit the Rangers first shot with his first three pointer of the game assisted by Alexander. Clark went to score nine of the first 11 points scored by the Rangers hitting his first three 3-pointer attempts, as the Rangers led 11-5 with a Kabeya Tshibangu dunk after his first steal. Adams State scored six straight to tie the score at 11-11 before Kenyon Holcombe finished a dunk to end the run assisted by Alexander, his third of the first half. 

Northwestern opened a five point lead after the tie game leading 18-13 and 20-15 over the Grizzlies following a drive by Alexander for his first points of the game. Holcombe drilled a three pointer with 7:48 left in the opening half for a 27-20 lead over Adams State.The largest lead of the first half for Northwestern was 11 at the time with a 33-22 lead after Liam Canty made a layup after an assist from Clark. 

The Rangers were able to grow the lead to as large as 13 points in the opening half after two points from Max Alexander, his 12th point of the opening half for the 42-29 lead. Northwestern led 42-31 heading into halftime after a layup in the final minute of the half. 

Justin Norris started the second half with a slam dunk for the Ranger off Camron McDowell's second assist of the night. The Grizzlies closed the gap to six early in the second half before the Rangers opened an 18 point lead off a 18-6 run that ran over five minutes. Alexander led the Rangers with seven points on the run as the team went six of seven during the five minutes hitting three 3-pointers 

The Grizzlies battled back with a 12-0 run holding the Rangers to 0-5 during the three minute stretch forcing four turnovers as Luke Williams led the run with eight points for the visitors. McDowell then hit a three to stop the run momentarily. Adams State brought the game back as close as two down to 75-73 in favor of the Rangers. 

In the last two minutes though Northwestern closed the game out with a 9-2 run closing the game out sealing the game at the foul line. Rangers held Adams State to just one of three in the closing minutes and forced two turnovers. 

The Rangers closed out the 84-75 home victory over Adams State Saturday afternoon. In the win the Rangers forced 24 turnovers taking advantage with 24 points off those turnovers. 

Northwestern next faces Friends University on Tuesday evening on November 26th with tip-off scheduled for 7:00 PM. 

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