DURANT, Okla. - The Northwestern Oklahoma State men's basketball team lost a heart breaker in overtime to Southeastern Oklahoma State 99-91, despite a strong first half shooting performance.
The Rangers got out to a quick start, going 4 of 6 early from three jumping ahead of the Savage Storm 14-6 at the first media timeout. Northwestern continued the hot streak coming out of the time out stretching their lead to 20-12 on back-to-back three point baskets from Keyondre Young. The Rangers then went on a 9-2 run to go ahead by 15, 29-14 at the 12-minute media timeout.
Southeastern mounted a little bit of a run but Northwestern was able to hold strong maintaining the advantage heading into the eight media timeout 36-21. However the Savage Storm came out of the time out feeling the momentum going on an 8-4 run with the help of Chandler Dixon's quick four points cutting the Rangers lead to 40-27.
The Rangers once again didn't let the run bother them, fending off the Savage Storm comeback attempt getting the lead back up to 15 with just over two minutes left in the half. Southeastern wouldn't go away and rallied back in the final minutes to cut the Ranger lead to just six points at 45-39 going into the halftime break.
The Savage Storm came out of the locker room strong going on a 5-0 run early in the second half to cut the Ranger lead to just one. Northwestern countered with a run of their own to get the lead up to six at the first media timeout of the second half. The Rangers got back-to-back baskets from Max Alexander and Robbie Armbreaster to push the lead to nine points at 60-51 with a little over 13 minutes left in the half.
Northwestern found their lead cut down to just one point after a Southeastern 8-0 run at the 12-minute media timeout. Southeastern took their first lead of the game with just over nine minutes left in the game on an Ethan Scott three pointer to make it 67-66. Northwestern regained the lead shortly, but the Savage Storm once again went on top, as they took a 71-68 lead at the under eight minute media timeout. The two teams battled back and forth for the next several minutes, which saw Southeastern go ahead by as many as five before Northwestern was able to get it back to three at the final media timeout of the game.
The Rangers found themselves down by five late in the game before a quick five points from Alexander tied the game with just under 30 seconds remaining in the game. Southeastern had a final shot before the end of regulation but could not get it to fall. The Savage Storm took the early overtime lead at 91-86, Northwestern battled back to bring it to 91-89. That's as close as the score would get in overtime as Southeastern closed things out to win 99-91.
Young led Northwestern in scoring with 25, Alexander added 22 and Armbreaster poured in 20 of his own.
Northwestern will be back in action on Saturday, December 13th at 3:00 p.m. as they host East Central inside Percefull Fieldhouse.
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