by Ashley Watts, Sports Editor

Northwestern men’s basketball played school rival, Southwestern Oklahoma State last Thursday, but came up short for the victory, 75-69.

Junior guard Parrish Hewitt led the game in points with 23 points, and he had four rebounds as well. Clive Allen finished behind Hewitt with 14 points along with five assists. Jaedon Whitfield was the third and final double-digit scorer with 12 points and nine rebounds. Whitfield led NWOSU in rebounds.

Southwestern controlled the game from the start. They prevented NWOSU from holding a lead throughout the entire game. The Bulldogs opened up their largest lead at 20 points in the early second half, but NWOSU marched back to bring the game within four points with 3:58 left to play in the game.

Northwestern men’s basketball lost to longtime rival Southwestern.

Unfortunately, Southwestern put the run by NWOSU to a stop and won the game by six.

The Bulldogs made a 10-0 run in the early first half putting the score at 15-5.

After a media timeout, NWOSU tried to cut the deficit, however good shooting by Southwestern kept them in the lead. The Bulldogs had a 17 point lead going into the half.

After the half, Southwestern extended their lead to 20, but after a 9-1 run by NWOSU they cut the lead to 12 points.

Both Southwestern and NWOSU tightened their defenses as both teams would go on a three minute scoreless drought before NWOSU was forced to foul to get the ball back.

A free-throw by Southwestern would finish the game off as Southwestern won the game.

The loss brings Northwestern to a 5-10 record on the season and 2-7 Great American Conference play.