ALVA, OKLAHOMA - The Northwestern Oklahoma State Men's Basketball team (10-8, 7-5 GAC) looks for the team's fifth straight victory on Thursday evening against Harding University (11-7, 7-5 GAC). Both teams are tied for fourth in the Great American Conference Standings. This is the second of three straight road games for the Rangers.

This will be the 25th meeting in the series between the two programs as the Rangers are tied 12-12 in the series history after dropping the earlier season matchup to Harding 91-70. Harding has now won three of the last five meetings and has won two straight in Searcy, Arkansas. Rangers will look to split the season series on Thursday.

In the earlier season matchup, the Rangers were led by Max Alexander with 22 points followed by DaRaun Clark with 19 and Justin Norris with 11. Harding was led by Rylie Marshall with 23 points, one of five double-figure scorers joined by Stetson Smithson with 16, Josh Denton, and Keyln McBride.

Northwestern is looking for their fifth straight victory after wins over Arkansas-Monticello, Southern Arkansas, Southwestern Oklahoma State, and East Central.

The last time out was a win over East Central 71-66 in Ada, Oklahoma after Camron McDowell finished with a game-high 32 points hitting five three-pointers. He was joined in double figures by DaRaun Clark and Justin Norris each with 11 points. McDowell had seven steals, while Kabeya Tshibangu finished with eight points and 10 rebounds. 

The Rangers are led by Camron McDowell and Max Alexander averaging 24.8 points and 21.2 points per game. These are both top-tier in the conference as McDowell ranks first in the GAC and fourth overall in the nation. Alexander is third in the GAC. Alexander is fifth in the conference in assists per game with 4.1 on a game basis. Tshibangu is averaging 2.6 offensive rebounds per game which is third in the conference.

McDowell leads the team with 35 steals after a seven-steal game against East Central. Alexander is second with 31 steals. The 35 steals are second in the conference, while Tshibangu is 3rd in blocks. Tshibangu is the team leader in blocks with 19 while adding 18 steals. He leads the team in rebounding with seven per game for fifth in the conference.

The Rangers are first in the conference in turnover margin and first in turnovers forced per game at 15.56. The Rangers sit first in the conference in free throws made per game and second in free throw percentage. 

HARDING BISONS:

Hading enters play on Thursday with an 11-7 record and a 7-5 Great American Conference record. The Bisons have won two straight games looking for the third straight. Harding has a 5-2 record in Searcy, Arkansas this season.

Harding has won their last two games with a win over Arkansas Tech and Ouachita Baptist in overtime with an 89-84 victory.

In the win over Ouachita Baptist, Harding was led by Sam Smith with 22 points and Stetson Smithson with 20 points, two of three double-figure scorers helping to the five-point overtime victory. 

The Bisons are led by four players averaging double figures led by Rylie Marshall with 15.6 points per game, followed by Keyln McBride at 15.2 points, and Sam Smith at 15.1 points. McBride leads the team with 82 assists on the season. The 82 assists are third in the conference and fourth per game.  

The defensive side of the court is led by McBride with 31 steals on the season followed by Wesley Booker with 25 steals while adding a team-high 24 blocks on the season. Sam Smith is first on the team with 6.6 rebounds per game. 

Harding is first in the conference in three-pointers per game at 9.7 on the season with the second-best three-point percentage at 38.2. Harding is first in free throw percentage in the conference and third in assists per game with the second most points per game.

FOLLOW THE GAME:

Stats: https://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=547087 

Video: https://reflect-harding.cablecast.tv/CablecastPublicSite/watch-now?site=1 

Listen: https://www.alvaradio.com/  

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