Northwestern Oklahoma State Rangers fell to University of Central Oklahoma by double digits in the MIAA / GAC conference challenge with a score 77-92. The Rangers trailed behind the Bronchos since the beginning of the game and could not catch up with them.
The Rangers are now 1-1 in the season after the loss to the Bronchos. Bronchos improve to 2-0.
Both teams were struggling to start the game and could not score until after a minute and a half of the competition. The Bronchos struck first with a deep three and then went on a 14-0 run against the Rangers. Finally Max Alexander scored The Rangers first points of the game. The Bronchos then went to the free-throw line and made one of the two, after Cam McDowell earned his first foul. Alexander then scored six more points in a row and now they were trailing by seven points 8-15. The Bronchos added two more points in the paint to extend the lead to nine 8-17. McDowell scored his first points by hitting a three and the Rangers were trailing by six now. Alexander shrunk the Bronchos lead to three points after an and-one play 14-17. 10 minutes into the game the Rangers were behind the Bronchos by six points 19-25. The Rangers tried to get back into the game but could not succeed and The Bronchos were leading the whole first half and at one point they had the biggest lead of 17 points. The first half ended 37-54 Rangers trailing.
Alexander and Kabeya Tshibangu started off the second half by scoring two points each to shrink The Bronchos lead to 13 points. McDowell added another three pointer and now the Rangers were trailing by 10 44-54. The Bronchos answered with a dunk, but the next possession Alexander made his first and only three-pointer of the game. The Bronchos made a layup and Tshibangu answered right away with a dunk and The Rangers were behind by nine points 49-58. It didn't take long for the Bronchos to answer with a three pointer and a layup and now The Bronchos had a double-digit lead. McDowell answered with another three-pointer but that was not enough and the lead for The Bronchos just kept growing and they went on an 8-0 run against The Rangers. Alexander hit another pair of free throws, but The Broncos answered right away. McDowell had the next four point for the Rangers. The Bronchos couldn't stop scoring. Justin Norris hit his second three of the game, but The Bronchos had another dunk. The biggest lead of the game for The Bronchos was 19 points. The Rangers ended up losing by 15 points 77-92.
The Rangers are going to have seven straight home games starting with the home opener on Nov. 12 against Barclay College at 7 p.m.
