Alva Review-Courier -

ALVA, Okla. – An incredible start to the second half by Northwestern against Arkansas-Monticello contributed to the Ranger victory over the Weevils 72-59. The Rangers led by one point at the half and kept their lead through the entire second half to ensure their victory following a nine point run to build the team's first double digit lead.

Northwestern advances to 12-6 on the season with a 7-5 conference record. The Rangers rank 2nd in scoring offense in the GAC, averaging 78 points per-game. The Weevils of Monticello drop to 4-6 in conference play with an 8-8 record.

Bubba Furlong led The Ranger offense with 32 points. He shot 2-2 at the three point line and 13-16 from the field making 11 of his last 12 shots. He was followed by Malik Parsons with 10. Furlong also led the team in rebounds with 8 just two shy of a double-double and in blocks with 3. Larry White followed in rebounds with 6. Brian Free led the team in assists with 8.

First Half

The Rangers started off strong at home with an assist by Malik Parsons and a dunk by Bubba Furlong to get the offense started. The Weevils quickly responded with a steal and layup. Both teams went back and forth within the first three minutes as the game stayed tied. The Weevils went on an early six point run to take the lead 10-6. Larry White responded with two free throws to gain ground on the Weevils before the first media timeout.

White would score first out of the timeout with a layup. Furlong would contribute another layup. Ravel Moody, off the bench, would add in a free throw to tie the game at 13-13. Anthony Jones would build off The Ranger momentum with a made jump shot. The Weevils responded with a three to take the lead again 16-15 before the next media timeout at the under eight break.

Furlong brought the Rangers back in front with the lead behind two made free throws following the timeout. White would contribute on a steal leading to fast break point for the Rangers. Furlong sank a three to hold The Ranger lead 20-18. The Weevils quickly fired back with a three pointer and a hook shot. This put the Weevils back in the lead 23-20 before the third media timeout on a quick 5-0 run for the visitors. Parsons blocked a layup from The Weevils following the timeout to prevent an extended lead. Furlong contributed a steal which led to a layup by teammate Chance Love. This left The Rangers trailing by five 27-22 going into the last media time out of the half.

A three-point play by Furlong following the timeout closed the gap to two points. A defensive rebound by Love and layup by Furlong would tie the game 29-29 with two minutes left in the half. The Weevils would respond with a bunny. Parsons would go 4-4 from the free throw line down the stretch of the first half to put The Rangers in the lead 34-33 at half time. Furlong led the team in points with 17 and in steals with 2. Furlong, White, and Eric Hancik off the bench all had 4 rebounds followed by Love with 3. Brian Free led with 4 assists. Both Furlong and Free reached 200 points for the season tonight.

Second Half

The Rangers built off their late lead in the first half with a three point play by Larry White. An assist by Free and dunk by Furlong would establish an early second half lead for The Rangers 39-33. The Weevils responded with a three pointer and steal before the first media timeout of the half. Following the timeout Jones would contribute a steal and a free throw keeping The Rangers in the lead 40-36. The middle part of the second half saw a little free throw battle as both teams got into foul trouble. A jumper from Jones and a layup from Furlong extended The Ranger lead. Furlong also contributed a dunk to the 8-0 run, which took The Rangers to a ten point lead, 48-38. The Weevils responded with a three pointer. Moody fed off his team's momentum by coming off the bench and scoring a layup to keep The Rangers ahead.

Desiree Morehead

Ranger Anthony Jones (1) goes up against University of Arkansas at Monticello defense to get two points.

The Weevils fired back with a late 8-0 run against The Rangers trailing, cutting the lead to three at 52-49 going into the third media timeout of the second half. Out of the timeout, Free knocked down two free throws. Furlong added a block and sank a three pointer. This late 5-0 run allowed The Rangers to keep their lead at 57-49. Two Weevil free throws would end the Ranger run. Hancik off the bench would fire back with another two free throws to extend The Ranger lead back to ten points. A defensive rebound by Furlong and three pointer by Free led to The Rangers' giving them their highest lead over the Weevils in the game by 13 points at 68-55. A layup from Parsons off a steal by Free put The Rangers ahead 70-59 with a minute of play remaining. A final layup by Furlong sealed The Northwestern victory 74-61.

The Rangers were looking to extend their three game winning streak when they resumed action s Saturday in Percefull Fieldhouse facing off against the Muleriders of Southern Arkansas University.