By Jacob Comp, Student Reporter
The Northwestern men’s basketball team on Jan. 1 took the court against Oklahoma Panhandle State University for their first game in 307 days.
Before players were forced to quarantine because of COVID-19, the Rangers started 2-1 for the first time since 2017.
“I feel like this team has more talent at each positions,” senior guard Parrish Hewitt said.
The Rangers began their season with a convincing 100 – 62 win over Oklahoma Panhandle State University. In the home opener against OPSU, Hewitt and Jack Peck, a senior guard, led the Rangers in scoring, finishing with 16 points. Three other Rangers scored in the double digits. Bubba Furlong brought in 14 rebounds for NWOSU.
In their last non-conference game, the NWOSU men’s basketball team came away with yet another win by a score of 94 – 77 against Randall University. Northwestern had a new leading scorer in the second game of the year. RJ Mason, a junior guard, scored 25 points, going 9 – 13 from the field and 5 – 6 from behind the arc. Deon Barrett scored 23 points on 7 – 17 shooting along with 5 assists. Bubba Furlong recorded his second double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds for the game.
The Rangers finished the game with 18 total assists along with four blocks and five steals. The Rangers dominated the paint with 44 points in the paint and 31 fast break points.
In their third game of the season, the Rangers had their conference opener against Southern Nazarene University. Northwestern lost 67 – 46.
The Rangers struggled to control the ball as they turned the ball over 17 times in the game. Northwestern also struggled shooting the ball, shooting just under 19% on 32 shots in the first half. The shooting struggles continued in the second half as NWOSU shot 39% in the second half and 27% for the game.
One bright spot for the Rangers was Furlong, who pulled down 11 rebounds. This was his third straight game of double-digit rebounds.
Three games into the best start on a season since 2017, the Rangers hit a speedbump. The coronavirus found its way onto the roster of the men’s basketball team.
This forced the team to quarantine and to postpone four conference games.
Hewitt said that this is the biggest effect COVID-19 could have on their season. Northwestern was set to return to action against Southern Nazarene University on Jan. 23 in Bethany, but the GAC posponed the game late Tuesday in an email.