ALVA, OKLAHOMA - The Northwestern Oklahoma State Men's Basketball team (6-8, 3-5 GAC) returns home for the first of three straight home games starting with Arkansas Monticello (4-10, 1-7 GAC). The Rangers are 4-4 at home this season.
This will be the 24th meeting in the series between the two programs as the Rangers lead the history with 12-11 overall. The Rangers have won the last two matchups after sweeping the season series a year ago. The series is 5-5 over the last 10 between the two teams. Rangers have won three straight in Alva in the series.
Northwestern looks to snap a three game losing streak since the break with losses to Oklahoma Baptist, Ouachita Baptist, and Henderson State.
In the 96-70 loss to Henderson State the Rangers were led by Max Alexander and Camron McDowell, the only two players in double figures. McDowell had 23 with Alexander adding 19.
The Rangers are led by Camron McDowell and Max Alexander averaging 24.6 points and 23.6 points. McDowell is first in the conference in scoring and fifth overall in Division II, as Alexander is 3rd in the conference and eighth overall. On top of scoring Alexander leads the team in assists at 4.4 per game which is fifth in the conference per game. Tshibangu is fourth in the conference in offensive rebounds per game with 2.5
Defensively Kabeya Tshibangu has 12 blocks and 12 steals on the season as he leads the team in blocks. Camron McDowell and Max Alexander lead the team in steals with 23 and 24 on the season. Tshibangu leads the team with 6.5 rebounds per game followed by Justin Norris at 5.1 per game.
The Rangers continue to lead the nation in free throw percentage at 81.8% on the season and are first in the conference in free throws made. Northwestern is second in the conference in turnovers forced per game at 15.3.
ARKANSAS MONTICELLO:
Arkansas Monticello enters play on Thursday with a 4-10 record and a 1-7 conference record. The Weevils are 0-5 on the road looking for their first road victory of the season. Arkansas Monticello enters play losing their last game to Southeastern.
In the loss to Southeastern Oklahoma State Monticello was led by Seth Grandberry with 19 points followed by Jamir Turner.
Arkansas Monticello is led by Seth Grandberry with 14.1 points per game, the only player averaging double figures. Noah Thomas is second on the team with 8.9 points per game. The Weevils are led by Thomas with 27 assists on the year followed by Alex Brogdon with 26.
The defensive side of the court is led by Thomas with 20 steals and five blocks with the team high in steals while Harouna Sissoko leads the team with 16 blocks on the season, adding three steals.
Arkansas Monticello's defense is second in the conference in field goal percentage defense holding teams to 40.5% per game, and gives up 60 points per game which is ranked first in the conference.
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