ALVA, OKLAHOMA - Northwestern had a bounce back win on Thursday evening to open Great American Conference play with a 14 point victory. The Bisons (4-3,1-0) enter Saturday against the Rangers (4-3, 1-0).

The Rangers have won five of the last seven meetings against Harding overall, last coming on February 22nd in an 80-67 win in Alva. The two teams have split the season series the last two years. Overall the Rangers lead the series history 12-11 over Harding since the 2012-2013 season.

Last time out Northwestern used a strong defensive performance and 41 points from Camron McDowell to win 89-75 over Arkansas Tech to start conference play. McDowell was one of three players in double figures for the Rangers joined by Justin Norris adding 14 points and DaRaun Clark with 12 points.

This season the Rangers are Camron McDowell averaging 25.5 points per game, one of two double figure scorers joined by Max Alexander with 25.1. Alexander leads the team in assists with 38 which is 5.4 per game. 

Defensively the Rangers are led by McDowell with 15 steals and five blocks on the year with the steals being the team high. Alexander and Clark each are at over 10 with Alexander having 13 and Clark with 10. Kabeya Tshibangu leads the team with 10 blocks. Justin Norris has been the teams leading rebounder with 5.6 per game. 

HARDING BISONS:

Harding finished non-conference with a 4-2 record but entered play 4-3 after dropping the conference opener in Weatherford Thursday night 81-67. 

The Bisons were led by Sam Smith finishing with 23 points in the game followed by Rylie Marshall with 11 as the only two players scoring double digits. 

Rylie Marshall has been the team leader in scoring at 16.7 points per game, one of four double digit scorers. He is joined by Sam Smith at 15.3 points per game, Keyln McBride with 13.9 and Josh Denton at 11.7. McBride has 28 assists on the season for 4.0 per game. 

The defense is led by McBride with 19 steals on the season, a team high followed by Wesley Booker who has 14. Booker is the team leading blocker with seven on the season. Sam Smith leads the team with 5.6 per game.

STAT OF THE GAME:

Harding looks to avoid going 0-2 to start conference play for the first team since the 2022-23 season. Rangers look for their first 2-0 start in conference play since the 2017-18 season. Northwestern has won six straight against Harding in Alva. 

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