Alva Review-Courier -

ALVA, Okla. – Jack Peck netted a NCAA career high 18 points to lead a short-handed Northwestern Oklahoma State University men’s basketball team to a Great American Conference victory over Harding Thursday night at home.

Peck led a balanced offensive attack on the Rangers way to a 74-61 victory in Percefull Fieldhouse. The win for Northwestern keeps the Rangers in conference tournament contention with a GAC record of 3-8 and 5-12 overall. The Bisons from Harding have an identical record, as does Arkansas Tech.

The three teams sit in a tie one-game out of the final tournament spot. Something will give Saturday afternoon when the Rangers host Arkansas Tech. Tip-off is schedule for 3 p.m. inside Percefull Fieldhouse.

Harding started the game with a 5-0 lead, but Eric Andres Jr. got the Rangers on the board with a jumper in the paint and Peck drilled a three about a minute later to tie the game. The Rangers ultimately went on a 16-0 run after the early deficit with Peck adding another three and Andrew Clopton knocking down two threes for six of his 14 points.

The Bisons responded with a run of their own to make it a two-point Ranger advantage with 7:24 to go in the first half. Freshman sharp shooter Cole Jones answered with back-to-back threes, one assisted by A.J. Jones and the second by Andres, to quickly making it an eight-point lead for Northwestern.

A.J. Jones finished the game with six assists to lead the Rangers.

Northwestern made it a double-digit lead with just under five minutes to go as Andres got to the basket for an easy layup.

After the Bisons cut the lead to seven just before halftime, 34-27, Bryce Cashman started the second half in style when Peck found him for a dunk coming out of the break. On the next possession down the floor, Andres connected with Cashman again for a slam to make it 39-27.

With 17 minutes to go in the contest, the Bisons chipped away to make it a seven-point ball game. After missing a shot that was rebounded by Harding’s J.P. Brandon, Clopton poked the ball away for a steal and a layup. Less than a minute later, the Peck turned a missed Harding shot into three points to go up 44-32.

The Rangers never had less than an 11-point advantage rest the of the way through the game. In the minute, Hunter Frisby put his name in the box score when Eisley Swain found him on the left wing for a three-pointer.

Northwestern hit eight three-pointers in the game.

Joining Peck and Clopton in double-figures was Cashman with 12 points. Andres added eight points, A.J. Jones with seven points, Cole Jones has his two threes for six points and Bryshon Bryant tacked on six points as well.