ALVA, OKLAHOMA - Northwestern Oklahoma State Men's Basketball completed the three-game homestand with three straight wins following the victory over Southwestern Oklahoma State. The Rangers led for the entirety of the second half and led by as many as ten before closing out the 70-64 victory over the Bulldogs.

Northwestern Oklahoma State improved to 9-8 on the season with a 6-5 conference record while the Bulldogs fell to 5-6 in GAC play. 

The Rangers were led by three players in double figures in a balanced scoring attack as Max Alexander led the way with 16 points followed by Jackson Feely with 12 and DaRaun Clark with 10. Kabeya Tshibangu finished the game with eight points and 10 rebounds. Alexander had a team-high three assists. 

Southwestern took their first lead of the game in the early parts with a three-pointer by Tobias Roland, helping the Bulldogs to score five of the first six points in the game. Over the next three minutes however, the Rangers were able to go on a 6-0 run behind solid defense forcing two turnovers while holding the visitors to 0-2 shooting. McDowell and Justin Norris each hit three-pointers for the lead.

Southwestern tried taking control and opening the game up stretching a lead to 22-13 with 9:18 left in the opening half but the Rangers continued to battle back and climb back into the half. An 11-3 run over the next three minutes with six different players scoring had the Rangers back within one point. The Rangers forced three turnovers, trailing 25-24 with 6:05 left in the half. 

Jackson Feely hit three of his 12 points in the game to give the Rangers their first lead since 1-0 in the early going at 27-26 over the Bulldogs right out of the media timeout. The Rangers closed the half with two more three-pointers one by Norris followed by Clark for a 33-28 lead before taking the halftime lead into the break at 35-32, led by eight first-half points from Justin Norris. 

Camron McDowell scored the first points of the second half hitting a three-pointer for the 38-32 lead, this helped the Rangers take their first double-digit lead of the game following a fast-break layup from Max Alexander for the 42-32 lead scoring the first seven points of the half. 

Southwestern went on a 5-0 run diving into the Ranger lead at 42-37 but the Rangers matched keeping the lead at 10 with a 47-37 lead. Southwestern kept chipping back into the Ranger lead halfway through the second half the Ranger lead was down to 53-51 and eventually tied back at 53-53. 

Jackson Feely ended their run with a three-pointer assisted by Tshibangu to push the Rangers back in front by three. Logan Phillips had his first point slamming home a dunk to put the Rangers back in front by four points. Southwestern pushed late in the game getting the Ranger lead back down to two at 64-62 however another timely Ranger three-pointer this time by Alexander had the Rangers back in front 67-62.

It was Kabeya Tshibangu sending the Rangers home with a slam dunk to close out the 70-64 victory over Southwestern Oklahoma State on rivalry night in the Great American Conference for the third straight win. 

Northwestern Oklahoma State travels to Ada, Oklahoma on Saturday afternoon. The tip-off for the game is scheduled for 3:00 PM against the Tigers following the end of the Lady Rangers game.

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