By Logan Jones
Asst. Sports Editor
Rangers took down the Bulldogs but fell to the Bison
Men’s basketball returned to Percefull Fieldhouse this past Thursday as
Northwestern took on conference rival Southwestern Oklahoma State University, winning 77-61.
The game got off to a slow start as only nine points were scored in the first five minutes of play.
Both teams fought back and forth for the lead, but the Ranger defense proved to be too much for the Bulldogs.
Southwestern finished with their lowest scoring output of the season and their leading scorer, Trea Evans was held to a mere 13 points.
Notable Rangers include senior Treyvon Andres, who earned his fourth double-double of the season with 16 points and 12 rebounds as well as junior A.J. Jones, who nearly finished with a triple-double with seven points, 10 assists and eight rebounds of his own.
Of the 12 Rangers who saw minutes on the floor, 11 of them scored points.
The win marks Northwestern’s ninth straight home victory over the Bulldogs going back to 1996.
The win also snapped a four-game losing streak.
Looking to flip their fortunes and start a winning streak, the Rangers traveled down to Shawnee, Oklahoma to take on the Bison of Oklahoma Baptist.
Unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned as Northwestern lost in a double-overtime game, 91-97.
After leading through most of regulation, the red and black fell victim to late clutch shooting by the Bison that tied the game at 70 apiece.
In the first overtime, Oklahoma Baptist took the lead, but it was the Rangers turn to come back and tie, sending the game into a second overtime.
Again, the lead kept going back and forth until time expired on the Rangers.
Despite the loss, Andres continued his great play.
He recorded his fifth double-double with a career-high 34 points and 14 rebounds.
Other standouts include redshirt-sophomore Jack Peck and freshman Andrew Clopton with 16 and 11 points, respectively.
Northwestern moves to a 4-12 overall record and 2-8 in the Great American Conference this season.
They will look to rebound on Jan. 24 when the Bison of Harding visits Percefull Fieldhouse.
Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.