RUSSELLVILLE, ARKANSAS - Northwestern Oklahoma State bounced back Saturday by closing out a 71-66 victory over Arkansas Tech, after letting the lead slip away and recovering for the game's final five points to seal the win.

The Rangers improve to 11-9 on the season with an 8-6 conference record while Arkansas Tech drops to 9-11 on the season with a 6-8 GAC mark. 

The Rangers were led by Camron McDowell with 27 points and five rebounds, one of two players in double figures joined by Max Alexander with 17 points. Alexander led the team with eight assists in the win.

Kabeya Tshibangu opened the scoring in this game with a layup in the opening 10 seconds of the game. After the opening basket, Arkansas Tech scored eight straight points for the 8-2 lead over the Rangers in the opening minutes of the game before the media timeout. It was Camron McDowell ending the run with a jump shot before the Rangers responded with seven straight points to take the lead at 9-8. 

Logan Phillips scored his first points of the game off an assist by Tshibangu with a dunk inside the paint to regain the lead at 13-12. Halfway through the opening half, Arkansas Tech had taken the lead on a Cassius Brooks jump shot for the 16-13 lead. 

Kenyon Holcome responded with five straight points knocking down a three-pointer for the 18-16 lead off an offensive rebound for the second chance points. The game was locked at 20-20 following a steal and a floating jump shot by Kabeya Tshibangu. 

McDowell then scored seven straight for the Rangers answering every Arkansas Tech run giving the Rangers the 27-25 lead. After a Justin Norris three-pointer with 3:54 left, Northwestern led by five at 30-25.

However, Arkansas Tech closed the half on a 6-0 run to steal the halftime lead at 31-30. 

Alexander and McDowell combined for the Rangers' first five points of the half to take a 35-33 lead over the Wonder Boys. The defense came up big after taking a 39-38 lead the Rangers Tshibangu had back-to-back possessions with blocked shots keeping Northwestern in front. 

Arkansas Tech went on a run to build a five-point lead after scoring seven straight for a 46-41 lead, but the Rangers answered back with a 9-0 run starting with a McDowell three-point play and finishing it at the foul line before a Logan Phillips three-pointer for the 50-46 lead. The run stretched to 11-0 after a McDowell steal and fast break dunk. 

Northwestern continued to build the lead extending the lead to eight following a point from Liam Canty. The Wonder Boys scored six straight to close the gap down to two but a McDowell three-pointer pushed the lead back to six.

The Rangers led by six at 64-58 before Arkansas Tech got back within one point at 40 seconds left in the game before taking the lead on a steal and a dunk for the 67-66 lead.

Alexander scored two points followed by a McDowell dunk to seal the Ranger victory on the road over Arkansas Tech with a 71-66 final score for the season sweep over the Wonder Boys. 

The Rangers will be back in action on Thursday evening with tip-off scheduled for 7:30 PM. The first of two straight home games with Saturday, February 8th being the Hall of Fame game.