ALVA, OKLAHOMA - After closing conference play against Friends the Rangers open the Great American Conference part of the schedule on Thursday against Arkansas Tech with a 7:30 PM tip-off following the conclusion of the Lady Rangers game. The Wonder Boys (3-3,0-0) enter Thursday against the Rangers (3-3, 0-0). Arkansas Tech is coming off back to back losses, with the Rangers dropping their last game out. 

Overall Arkansas Tech leads the series history between the two teams 13-8 dating back to the 2013-2014 season. The two teams split last season's regular season before Arkansas Tech won the season series 2-1 following a 54-53 win in the conference playoffs. The Rangers are 6-4 in the last 10 meetings vs Arkansas Tech and winning three of the last four in Alva.

Last time out Northwestern is coming off a loss where Max Alexander led the team in scoring with 38 points his second time over the 30 mark and fourth time hitting 25 plus points. DaRaun Clark was the other Ranger in double figures with 14. 

This season the Rangers are being led by Max Alexander averaging 27.8 points per game alongside Cameron McDowell with 22.4 points per game each averaging over 20 points. Alexander leads the team with 31 assists on the season through six games for 5.1 per game.

The other side of the floor McDowell leads the team with 14 steals on the season adding four blocks, as Alexander is second with 12 steals. Kabeya Tshibangu is first on the team with eight blocks for a team high. Justin Norris leads the team at 5.7 rebounds per game. 

ARKANSAS TECH:

Arkansas Tech enters play coming off back to back loses to Missouri Western followed by Pittsburg State, over the last two weeks. 

Arkansas Tech is led by Cassius Brooks with 19.3 points per game leading the team one of two double figure scorers joined by Kade Shaffer at 10.3 points per game. Kade Shaffer leads the team with 30 assists on the year through their six games for five per game. 

The defense is led by Shaffer with 12 steals on the season followed by Trey Allen with 11. The Wonder Boys have two players tied with five blocks in Seybian Sims, and Sean Cobb. Sims is the team leading rebounder with 8.8 per game. 

STAT OF THE GAME:

In the last 10 conference openers the Rangers enter play with a 3-7 record overall losing the last two conference openers. Last win coming in the 2021-2022 season. Arkansas Tech has won three straight conference openers and are 5-5 in their last 10. This is the first time these two teams opened conference play over the last 10 years.

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