BETHANY, OKLA. - The Northwestern Oklahoma State men's basketball team earned their first victory of the season defeating the University of Mary 83-63 behind two 20 point efforts from Robbie Armbrester and Max Alexander.

The first half saw multiple lead changes, as both teams went on runs in the first frame. The Rangers found themselves in a four point hole early on down 6-2, they would go on a 5 point scoring run to take the lead 7-6. After tying the game at 11 midway through the half, Northwestern went on a 12-5 swing to take a 23-16 lead at the eight minute media timeout. The Rangers lead would balloon up to as much as 13 late in the half over the Marauders. The Rangers weathered a late run from the Marauders to take a 39-32 lead into the halftime locker room.

The Rangers continued the momentum into the second half as they rattled off a 10-6 run in the first four minutes of the frame. University of Mary made several pushes throughout the first part of the second half but Northwestern held strong going up by as many as 15 midway through the half. The Rangers continued to have answers to the Marauders runs, keeping themselves ahead by double digits at the eight minute media timeout at 63-52. The Rangers went on an 11-6 point run to go ahead 74-58 over the Marauders at the final media time out of the half. Northwestern found themselves up 20 to end the game.

Armbrester lead the Rangers offensively with 22 points and 9 rebounds followed by Alexander who pitched in 21 of his own along with 5 assists. Keyondre Young added 15 points as the third leading scorer for Northwestern. As a team, Northwestern shot 49 percent from the field and 35 percent from three in the contest.

The Rangers will be in action again tomorrow afternoon in Bethany at 3:30 pm for day two of the GAC/NSIC Challenge .

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