ALVA, OKLAHOMA - The Rangers returned home from their three game road trip with a victory over Arkansas Motnicello snapping the three game losing streak. Northwestern used an 11-0 run in the middle of the second half before Arkansas Monticello climbed back to tie the game. The Rangers scored the final five points of the game to seal the 73-68 win.

Northwestern Oklahoma  State improves to 7-8 overall with a 4-5 conference mark. Arkansas Monticello drops to 4-11 on the season with a 1-8 conference record.

The Rangers were led in the game by Camron McDowell with 37 points knocking down 14 shots including six three pointers. He added five rebounds and two assists. Max Alexander was the other Ranger in double figures with 15 points in the game and tied for the team high with three assists along with DaRaun Clark. Kabeya Tshibangu led the team with seven rebounds, three steals and two blocks. 

Northwestern Oklahoma State was the first to score with a foul shot from Max Alexander as the Rangers led 1-0 for two minutes of the game as Northwestern held Arkansas Monticello scoreless until the 17:52 mark of the first half. The Weevils scored three straight after getting on the board as the two teams were then tied at five after McDowell's first points of the game. Monticello then scored five straight points for a 10-6 lead over the Rangers.

Out of the media timeout Logan Phillips ended their run with a jump shot helping the Rangers start a run followed by a dunk assisted by McDowell as the Rangers trailed 13-12. Alexander then helped the Rangers regain the lead for the 14-13 lead with 10:23 left in the half about halfway through the first half. Kenyon Holcombe got his man on a fake before a dunk to tie the game at 16-16. McDowell scored five straight for the Rangers to extend the lead to 22-18 with a three pointer.

Arkansas Monticello with 3:51 left in the half tied the game at 23-23 following a shot by Jamir Turner. The two teams traded three pointers as McDowell for the Rangers and Tempo for Arkansas Monticello to keep the game tied. Liam Canty scored his first points of the game on a steal with 1:07 lead turning it into an open layup on the fast-break for a 30-28 lead. McDowell hit a three pointer assisted by Alexander as the Rangers went into the break with a 33-30 lead.

Alexander opened the second half scoring for the 35-30 lead, early into the second half. Arkansas Monticello later went on a 5-0 run stealing the lead from the Rangers with a 38-37 lead. Jackson Feely hit his first three pointer of the game from the corner pushing the Rangers back in front at 42-39. This started an 11-0 run for the Rangers as Northwestern scored a perfect 4-4 from the field forcing three turnovers. McDowell led the run with five going in front 50-39.

Arkansas Monticello chipped back into the game with a 15-5 run cutting the Ranger lead back down to 52-51. It was McDowell hitting a three pointer keeping Northwestern in front back up by four. The Weevils were able to get back and tie the score at 63-63 following three foul shots by Devin Davis. Teams traded points before a three pointer by Seth Grandberry pushing Arkansas Monticello hit a three pointer giving him 30 points in the game. The game was locked at 68-68 before McDowell hit a shot for the 70-68 lead. Tshibangu's put back dunk put the Rangers up two possessions, sealing the victory over Arkansas Monticello. The Rangers closed out the 73-68 victory over the visiting Arkansas Monticello. 

Northwestern will return to action on Saturday afternoon against Southern Arkansas with tip-off scheduled for 3:00 PM following the Lady Rangers game against the Muleriders. Cody Henson will coach his second straight game for the Rangers with Robbie Harman away with a family medical emergency.

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