By ALEX REYES
Student Writer
The Rangers suffer two heartbreaking losses at the GAC/MIAA Basketball Challenge on Friday and Saturday on the road.
Northwestern traveled to Durant to take on the University of Central Oklahoma and Northeastern State University.
The Rangers first game against UCO on Friday was plagued by shooting woes with four Rangers shooting under 40 percent against the Broncos, and missing eight key free throws.
They were outrebounded on the glass both defensively and offensively as well.
The Bronchos grabbed 13 rebounds in the Ranger’s territory opposed to Northwestern’s eight.
Defensively the Rangers managed three blocks and seven steals.
That was enough to force more turnovers against UCO it was not enough to keep their turnovers becoming out of control.
UCO had a hand in Northwestern’s turnovers with nine of them being Bronco steals also. Josh Holliday, the Bronchos leading scorer, led this assault with four of the nine.
Holliday dropped 21 points on the Rangers to finish the game also.
The Rangers leading scorer, Zach Dumas, had 17 and went five for 11 on the night with only one assist.
Adrian Motley, one of Northwestern’s prominent leaders, struggled with shooting going four for 14 and only tallying 11 points. Motley shot four free throws and converted three as well.
Ranger T’aries Taylor was only two of seven from the field but sank all six shots from the line to put up ten points. Taylor also had the most turnovers for the Rangers with four but did manage to snag three steals from the Blue-and-Gold.
The Rangers fell to the Broncos on a last-second buzzer beater to end the game.
The Rangers let their game against the Northeastern Riverhawks slip away in the second half as well.
The Rangers were far more efficient with their shooting in their second game. Ranger Lakeem Henderson put up 27 points and totaled seven for 11 shooting. He also racked up seven rebounds and two steals.
Motley and Taylor were both five for nine with 19 points on the night.
Efficiency in shooting was not translated into ball security. The Rangers had a dismal 27 turnovers against the Riverhawks 11 of them were forced by steals.
The bench for the Riverhawks exploded for 56 points compared to the Ranger’s 15.
The Rangers couldn’t hold onto the lead late however, as the Riverhawks went on a 14-3 run which hautled the momentum for the Red-and-Black.
When the final whistle sounded, the Rangers found themselves on the losing side yet again.
The Rangers’ loss puts them at a 0-2 overall record to start the season.
Their next game is tonight at 7:30 p.m. at home in Percefull Fieldhouse against conference foe, the Harding University Bison.
The Rangers then face Arkansas Tech at 3 p.m. on Saturday at home as well.