ALVA, OKLAHOMA - The Rangers Men's Basketball team played host to Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys Thursday evening. Northwestern had a big night from Camron McDowell who tied his Ranger career high with 41 points in the win on 12-19 shooting. The Rangers held Arkansas Tech to 36% shooting forcing 15 turnovers in the 89-75 victory.

The Rangers improve to 4-3 on the season with a 1-0 Great American Conference record as Arkansas Tech drops to 0-1 in the conference. 

Northwestern had three double figure scorers led by Camron McDowell with 41 points followed by Justin Norris, with 14 and DaRaun Clark adding 12 points. Justin Norris and Max Alexander led the team with five rebounds each, as Alexander led the team with seven assists. Clark had a team high four steals in the win while Kabeya Tshibangu added two blocks.

Norris started things off for the Rangers knocking down a three pointer after the opening tip-off assisted by McDowell for the early 3-0 lead. Defense took over for the Rangers scoring the first five points of the game and holding Arkansas Tech scoreless until the 16:57 mark of the half. The Wonder Boys started the game 0-5 with two turnovers in that time frame.

The Wonder Boys tied the game on a three pointer by Kade Shaffer making it a 5-5 game as Arkansas Tech continued the run to 8-0 and built a three point lead. The visitors were able to stretch the lead to nine at 16-7. Kabeya Tshibangu started the run for the Rangers starting a 10-0 run for the Rangers with four different scorers in the two minute span with a perfect 3-3 from the field. A Norris three pointer pushed the Rangers back in front 17-16 over the Wonder Boys. 

In the final moments of the opening half the two teams battled trading baskets as Brooks gave Arkansas Tech a 30-28 lead over the Rangers before Camron McDowell drilled a three pointer pushing the Rangers in front 31-30 for a halftime lead giving him 14 points at the half. 

Arkansas Tech in the second half was the first to score, grabbing the 32-31 lead after Brooks' layup. Norris made sure their lead was short lived at the time with a three pointer for a 34-32 lead. The Rangers trailed by two when Cameron McDowell finished off a three point play on a layup while drawing a foul for the 39-38 lead over the Wonder Boys. 

The two teams were locked at 41-41 before Clark hit a three pointer for the 44-41 Ranger lead as Northwestern continued to extend the lead as the Ranger built a 53-47 lead after points from Norris, Alexander and McDowell. The lead was pushed to double digits for the first time at 58-48 as McDowell scored nine of the next 11 Ranger points, as the Rangers led 62-50 with 8:44 left to play in the game. 

McDowell scored his 30th point on a layup followed by Tshibangu throwing down a dunk giving the Rangers a 69-52 lead. McDowell then pushed the lead to 20 points at 76-56. McDowell and Alexander combined for the Rangers next 10 points as Northwestern continued to hold the 19 point lead as McDowell hit the 40 point mark before tying his career high. He finished off the 89-75 victory over Arkansas Tech closing out the conference opening victory.

Northwestern Oklahoma State will be home Saturday afternoon with a 3:00 PM scheduled tip-off against Harding University following the Lady Rangers game which starts at 1:00 PM.

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