ALVA, OKLAHOMA - Northwestern Oklahoma State Men's Basketball closed out their home portion of the schedule Thursday evening with a win over Southern Nazarene. After trailing at halftime the Rangers used a second half take over 54-39 to come back and win on Senior Night as the Rangers honored their five seniors.
Northwestern improves to 16-11 on the season with a 14-7 conference record. The Rangers finish the season with a 10-4 home record.
The Rangers balanced offense featured four double figure scorers including 18 from Kennedy Milton, Camron McDowell adding 17, Larry White finishing with 15 and Brian Free with 14. McDowell added three blocks in the win.
The visitors in Southern Nazarene opened the game with the first six points in the first two minutes before Brian Free put the Rangers on the scoreboard with his first three pointer. Kennedy Milton then scored five straight for the Rangers to cut the deficit back down to one point at 9-8 following his first three pointer.
Southern Nazarene continued to stay out in front throughout the opening half holding a 19-13 lead before the Rangers came back on an 11-2 run to steal the lead for the first time. The Rangers defense forced opportunities on the offensive end including three 3-pointers one each from Justin Norris, Kennedy MIlton, and Brian Free for the 24-21 lead.
Southern Nazarene answered back with eight straight points to grab a 29-24 lead before Larry White put an end to that run. Southern Nazarene was able to stretch their lead back to seven at the end of the half and take a 35-28 lead into halftime.
Northwestern, looking to start the second half strong, got it from Camron McDowell scoring the first five points of the second half for the Rangers to cut the deficit down to three at 36-33. Brian Free then completed a four point play drilling the three pointer while drawing the foul cutting the Ranger deficit down to one at 38-37.
Southern Nazarene stretched it back to six at 45-39 but the Rangers quickly got it back down to one at 47-46 following a three pointer by Kennedy Milton. Justin Norris put the Rangers back in the lead after picking up a steal leading to a foul and completing the two points for the 48-47 lead. This lead the Rangers protected the rest of the way as Chance Love extended the lead with a three point play. Love's first three of the game had the Rangers in front 59-54 with 10 minutes to play in the half.
Northwestern held a six point advantage with five minutes to play. After Southern Nazarene cut it back to one possession this time it was Kabeya Tshibangu scoring to extend the Rangers lead. McDowell and White combined for the next four points before a Brian Free three pointer but the dagger in the game extended the lead to eight at 77-69.
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