ALVA, OKLAHOMA - Northwestern Oklahoma State Basketball closed out their weekend with a victory over Arkansas Monticello completing the season series sweep over the Weevils. The Rangers controlled the game from the beginning, jumping out to a 5-0 lead and leading the whole way before closing out the 81-63 victory.

Northwestern improves to 11-9 on the season with a 9-5 conference record, and the team's third straight win.

Brian Free led the way with 23 points, one of four double figure scorers joined by Camron McDowell with 19, DaRaun Clark adding 12 and Larry White with 11 points.

Free opened the scoring in the first possession hitting a three pointer assisted by Larry White to give the Rangers the early 3-0 lead. Justin Norris and Kabeya Tshibangu teamed up the following possession for a two handed jam and a 5-0 lead. This early lead the Rangers protected the whole way. Northwestern hit back to back three pointers about halfway through the opening half as Cam McDowell hit the first before forcing a turnover with a steal leading to a three pointer by Free on the break for a 16-8 lead.

The Ranger lead was stretched to double digits following a McDowell three pointer the teams third straight as the lead was then stretched to 12 just under the 10 minute mark. The Rangers combined for nine first half three pointers shooting 56% from long range as a Jabiri Smith three kept the lead at 12. The Rangers led 35-26 with two minutes remaining before Arkansas Monticello scored five of the last six points of the half to cut the Ranger lead to six at the break at 37-31.

Larry White brought the momentum back to the Ranger side capitalizing on a three pointer play after getting a steal leading the fast break and answering at the foul line to extend the lead back to double digits. DaRun Clark followed with a four point play, hitting a three pointer and closing out the foul shots as the Rangers opened a 13 point lead following the 7-0 run to start the second half.

Northwestern continued to build the lead as it stretched to 20 points following an 8-0 run led by Larry White's two steals and a fastbreak dunk before Free hit four straight foul shots. The run overall to start the second half was 15-2 pushing the lead to 53-33.

Arkansas Monticello tried to answer back as they brought the lead back down to 11 the closest at the time they were able to get it following six straight points from Wesley Booker to make it a 55-44 game. Each time though the Rangers had an answer this time DaRun Clark knocked down the jumper for a 59-45 lead for the Rangers.

The team traded baskets halfway through the second half Northwestern held an 18 point advantage following a 7-0 run started by Tshibangu as the Rangers led 67-49. Brian Free sent the Ranger lead back to 20 points with a three pointer for a 71-51 score. The largest Ranger lead got to 24 points following McDowell capitalizing at the line. 

Northwestern will be back in action on Thursday at Henderson State for the first two in Arkansas before closing out the trip with Ouachita Baptist.