EDMOND, Okla. – The Northwestern Oklahoma State men's basketball team defeated Minnesota Crookston, 84-80, in overtime on Saturday evening behind a 28-point night from
Jeremy Innocent.
The game opened with the Rangers quickly falling into a 12-5 hole, but
Chang Hoth knocked down a three and
Daleron Thomas drove inside for a layup for a 5-0 spark to cut the Golden Eagle lead down to two with 12 minutes to go in the first half.
The first half continued to remain a defensive battle, with both teams fighting for momentum until the Rangers broke free on a 10-2 run sparked by pairs of free throws from Innocent and
Jaydon White to give the Rangers a 30-25 lead with 3:08 remaining in the opening half. Minnesota Crookston would go on a 9-2 run of their own to take a 34-32 lead going into the locker room.
In the second half, both teams returned to the scrappy pace of the first half, with neither team being able to pull away from the other. The Rangers and Golden Eagles were deadlocked at 56-56 with eight minutes remaining in the game, but Minnesota Crookston went on a 10-3 stretch to put the Rangers behind by eight with only five minutes remaining.
With the Rangers needing a rally, White drilled a trey to cut the deficit to five, then attacked the rim with a layup to bring the game within one possession at 66-63 with only three minutes to play. Innocent helped extend the run, has he nailed four straight free throws to put the Rangers on top, 67-66 with 2:19 to go.
White and Innocent continued to cause havoc on the offensive side, as White thundered inside for another layup, while Innocent gave the Rangers a 72-70 lead by burying his first three of the game with 22 seconds left. However, the Golden Eagles would answer back with a basket of their own to send the game to overtime tied at 72-72.
The Rangers got off to a quick start in overtime, with
Marcus Zeigler Jr. attacking inside to give the Rangers the 74-72 lead, but Minnesota Crookston seesawed back in front by one point after making two pairs of free throws, 76-75, with 3:10 left in the period.
After another Golden Eagle bucket, Zeigler Jr. rose to the moment again with a triple to tie the game at 78-78 with two minutes remaining. The Ranger defense continued to lock the Golden Eagles down, with Innocent and
Julian Williams fueling a 6-2 spurt over the course of the final 2:32 to give the Rangers an 84-80 victory.
Innocent led the Rangers in points with 28 and in rebounds with eight, while White led in assists with three. The Rangers forced 16 turnovers in the win, and turned defense into offense with 20 points off turnovers, as well as dominating inside with 52 points in the paint and 24 second chance points.
The Rangers will be back in action on Nov. 17, when they return to Percefull Fieldhouse for the home opener against Manhattan Christian at 7 p.m.
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