By Denise Cronister
Student Reporter
The Northwestern Oklahoma State men’s basketball team played against the University of Central Oklahoma for the season opener on Friday afternoon as a part of the MIAA/GAC Challenge, falling 88-80 at the NSU Event Center in Tahlequah.
With just over a minute left to play, the Rangers pushed down a 14-point deficit, pulling within five.
After A.J. Jones hit a clutch three-pointer, Northwestern made a defensive stand to keep it a two-possession game, but an uncontested three from NWOSU rolled off the rim to seal the loss.
Northwestern only started one player from last year’s season as David Thorton, Bryce Cashman, Joseph Moorer, and Bryshon Bryant took the court.
Moorer led the Rangers with 26 point, going 11-of-20 from the field including four of seven from beyond the arc.
Central Oklahoma had the momentum all first half and the Rangers would go into half time down 12 points.
The Rangers struggled to gain the momentum, shooting just 11-for-31.
The Rangers out-rebounded the Bronchos 39 to 32 thanks to nine boards from Bryant and eight from Jones.
The Ranger bench outscored their opponents 22-13 as redshirt-sophomore Elijah Parks and John Godwin picked up eight and six points respectively.
UCO’s Josh Holliday led all scorers with 27 points and hit five three-pointers.
The Rangers next faced off against Northeastern Oklahoma State, but dropped the contest 80-73.
Despite trailing by as many as 21 in the second half, the Rangers pulled to within four points in the final minute but were unable to come out with the win against the Northeastern State University Riverhawks, falling 80-73.
Treyvon Andres recorded a double-double in his first action of the year, dropping 20 points and reeling in 13 rebounds while adding a blocked shot and a steal.
Elijah Parks also had a blocked shot.
Transfer Jack Peck had 17 points off the bench going 5-for-7 from the field and a perfect 4-4 from the free throw line in his 17 minutes.
John Godwin and Joseph Moorer had 12 and 10 points respectively in the effort.
The Rangers got off to a slow start, falling behind NSU 14-5 to open the game.
The Riverhawks would then extend their lead to 14 points midway through the period, but the Rangers kept themselves in it thanks in part to a strong first half from Peck.
The Riverhawks came out of the locker room hot, extending their lead to 21 points five minutes into the second half.
But the Rangers made things interesting with a 16-6 run that put them right back in the mix.
Peck nailed a three with 40 seconds to play to pull Northwestern within four points, however the Rangers needed a little luck after having to foul NSU.
The Riverhawks hit five free throws down the stretch to end any potential Ranger comeback.
The Rangers are back in action at home on Nov. 13.