Alva Review-Courier -

ALVA, Okla. – For the eighth time this season a Northwestern Oklahoma State University men's baseball game ended with a difference on the scoreboard of four points or less.

Much to the dismay of the Percefull Fieldhouse faithful, the Rangers were on the losing end of a last second shot as the Arkansas Tech Wonder Boy's shocked the Rangers with a 74-72 victory.

With an 11-point lead at halftime, and again with 16 minutes to go in the game following a Jack Peck three-pointer, the Rangers were playing well and seemed to be in control of the contest. But Arkansas Tech guard Mason Cline hit an outside shot to shift the momentum ATU's direction.

The Wonder Boys chipped away at Northwestern's lead before tying the game at 59 with 7:19 to go on a Will Adler three. Adler's three was a part of a 11-0 run to take a six-point lead with six minutes to go.

Freshman guard Andrew Clopton stopped the ATU run with a pair of free-throws to move the momentum meter back into the Rangers favor. Following Clopton's free-throws, A.J. Jones knocked down a three and the senior put in a pull up jumper in the paint to regain the lead the next time down the floor.

Both teams were scoreless for a couple of minutes before Bryshon Bryant added a floater in the paint to give the Rangers a 68-65 lead with just under a minute to go. However, R.J Glasper answered for the Wonder Boys and tied the game on the next possession.

It didn't take long for Eric Andres Jr. to put the Rangers back on top with a solid post move after Bryant found him open underneath the basket. Following a turnover by ATU, Peck went to the line and hit 1-of-2 from the charity stripe to go up by three.

Adler proved to be a thorn in the Rangers side as he hit another three-pointer to tie the game with 40-seconds to go.

Desiree Malicoat

LEFT: Jack Peck (10) takes the jump shot over the Arkansas Tech defense. Northwestern lost to ATU Saturday afternoon 72-74. RIGHT: Northwestern's A.J. Jones dribbles around the ATU defense.

Bryce Cashman put the Rangers on the high side with a free-throw with 12-seconds remaining. On the final possession, good defense by the Rangers forced the Wonder Boys into a tough three-point opportunity, but Adler hit a contested three in front of the visiting bench at the buzzer for the victory.

Peck had another outstanding day as he just missed a double-double with 22 points, his first 20-point performance in a Ranger uniform, and a season high nine rebounds. Jones had 12 points and Andres added 11, to go along with six rebounds.

The Rangers shot lights out in the first half with 16-of-22 shooting for an unbelievable 72.7-percent output in the opening 20 minutes. Six of their 16 made field goals in the first were three-point baskets. Peck opened the game with 13 straight points for the Rangers.

Northwestern outscored the Wonder Boys in the paint 32-18 despite being outrebounded 36-32.

The Rangers are now 5-13 overall and 3-9 in conference play as they look to rebound when they begin a three-game road trip on Thursday at Arkansas-Monticello, followed by a date with Southern Arkansas next Saturday.