Alva Review-Courier -

ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – The Rangers had one more in Arkansas Saturday afternoon to close out the trip in Arkadelphia. Northwestern pulled off the victory 82-78 in overtime to top the Tigers and bounce back from Thursday's loss.

The Rangers improved to 12-10 on the season with a 10-6 conference record.

Northwestern was led in scoring by Brian Free with 23 points after knocking down seven three pointers in the win. He was one of four players in double figures joined by Marquise Milton with 18 points, Chance Love with 17 and Camron McDowell at 10 points.

The Tigers started the scoring with a three pointer in the opening minute. Kabeya Tshibangu put the Rangers on the board two minutes into the game and scored the team's first three pointers before Larry White hit a jump shot. The Tigers jumped out early with a 12-5 lead through the first four minutes of the game. The Tigers stretched their lead to double digits at 18-7 with 12:54 left to play in the opening half before Brian Free ended their run with a three pointer to make it an 18-10 Ranger deficit. Free hit his second three pointer, bringing the Rangers back within six points halfway through the first half.

The two teams battled back and forth trading baskets as a Marquise Milton three pointer kept it within four points. Northwestern made the push in the final two minutes of the opening half after trailing 29-22.

A Free three pointer started things for Northwestern that included a 12-0 run to end the first half overall in the final minute and a half. Cam McDowell gave the Rangers the lead with a couple of foul shots before Chance Love stole the ball and drilled a three pointer right before the halftime buzzer sounded to push the Rangers out in front 33-29.

The second half McDowell hit a jump shot to start the half keeping the momentum on the Rangers side. The Northwestern defense helped lead into the offensive end extending the lead. Marquise Milton hit back-to-back three pointers to take a seven-point lead at 41-34. Two possessions later Brian Free drilled a three pointer to push the Rangers lead to 10 and double digits for the first time of the afternoon at 44-34.

Justin Norris later hit his first three pointer of the afternoon to give the Rangers an 11-point lead. The Rangers continuing the run stretched it to 15 at 53-38 following a couple of Chance Love foul shots. The lead grew to as many as 17 at 55-38 before the Tigers made their run to climb back in the game.

Ouachita Baptist scored 15 straight points to cut the Ranger lead down to two at 55-53. Love ended the run with two points putting the Rangers back in front by four with 6:13 left in the game. Northwestern still held a four-point advantage with four minutes left in the game.

The Tigers regained the lead though at 65-64 with 2:07 left in the game but a three pointer by Brian Free with 59 seconds left tied the game at 67-67 sending the game into overtime after the Rangers defense forced a final miss by the Tigers before the end of regulation.

Ouachita grabbed a 70-68 lead but that would be their last of the game as Free answered on the other end with a three-pointer pushing the Rangers in front 71-70. Marquise Milton then scored four straight for a 75-72 lead. The Tigers came storming back though to tie the game at 78-78 before McDowell hit a turnaround jump shot for an 80-78 lead. On the other end a steal by Justin Norris helped seal the win before two foul shots from McDowell. The Rangers won the game 82-78 in overtime.

Northwestern was to play at home Thursday evening in Percefull Fieldhouse against Southwestern Oklahoma State.