by Athletic Communications
Northwestern Oklahoma State University men’s basketball faced off against NAIA opponent Bethel College. The 9-1 Threshers took the game as an exhibition due to the difference in full game rules but technically earned their second loss of the season to the Rangers.
The Black-and-Red were led by senior Jaedon Whitfield and red-shirt junior Jack Peck. Whitfield earned his first double-double of the season with 14 points and 13 rebounds. Peck led the team with 18 points with five rebounds, two steals and a assist.
Northwestern started out hot early in the first half of the game. A back-and-forth battle soon unfolded through the seven-minute mark but a fast break lay-up by Peck sparked a rallied that held through the first half as a final three-point shot from Jones ended the first with a score of 35-28.
The Rangers continued their rally into the second half of the game as they took a ten-point lead with 16:00 on the clock.
Bethel College seemed down for the count until they kicked their defense into overdrive. Northwestern had eighteen turnovers throughout the game but still held the lead for almost 32 minutes. A huge block form Bailey really kept the Rangers in the game as Bethel pulled to within three points at the three-minute mark. A few final free-throw shots from Allen secured the win 71-81.