Alva Review-Courier -

ADA, Okla. – Northwestern Oklahoma State concluded their three game road trip with a loss to East Central. The Tigers used an early 9-2 run in the opening minutes of the game. East Central controlled the game from that point, never trailing as the Tigers beat the Rangers 97-63.

With the loss the Rangers drop to 2-7 in conference play and 6-7 overall on the season as the Tigers improve to 9-6 and a 4-5 conference mark.

Brian Free had the most points for the Rangers finishing the game with 12 on 50 percent shooting. Larry White led the team with eight rebounds.

East Central opened the game knocking down a three pointer on their opening possession off the jump ball. Northwestern got their first basket at the 18:13 mark on a shot by Shavaul Butters. The Tigers opened a 13-6 lead in the first four minutes into the first media timeout. Out of the timeout Butters finished a layup cutting the deficit back to five.

The Tigers finished off a shot before knocking down a three pointer by Thomas to open their first double digit lead of the game at 18-8. The game was locked at 18-10 from the 13:44 mark to 11:02 in the game until a Brian Free three pointer broke the two minute scoring drought bringing the score to 18-13. Halfway through the opening half East Central led 24-16 following a couple of free throws. East Central knocked down back to back three pointers to open a 36-23 lead with 4:48 left to play in the first half. The Tigers continued to widen the gap as the Tigers led 39-23 at the under four media timeout.

Out of the break a steal by the Ranges closed out by a Parsons dunk. The Tigers answered back with a three pointer. The lead grew to 48-25 a 23-point deficit at halftime.

To open the second half East Central scored on three straight possession as the Rangers answered on two of them but the Tigers were able to open a 29 point lead. At the 16:36 mark the lead grew to 30 for the first time. Halfway through the second half the Tigers held their 30 point lead following a jump shot by Marquise Milton.

Chance Love and Brian Free hit back to back three pointers in the right corner but the Tigers continued to answer. Northwestern answered back with a three from Jareon Mayo, and a jump by Kobe McGowan.

East closed out the victory over the Rangers following a made jump shot by Jason Douglas-Stanley. The Tigers won 97-63.