ALVA, Okla. – A late three-point shot that would have tied the game in the closing seconds fell just short as SWOSU couldn't find a way to get ahead of Northwestern in crunch time, falling 70-64 to the Rangers in Alva on Thursday.

The first half was tightly contested, with NWOSU holding a slight edge, 35-32, after the first 20 minutes. SWOSU had built a nine-point lead at 25-16, the largest lead for either team in the first half. However, an 11-1 run by the Rangers eliminated the Bulldogs' lead, making the game a back-and-forth affair for the final three minutes. The Bulldogs shot 12-24 (50%) from the field and 4-10 (40%) from beyond the arc. SWOSU shot just 4-5 from the free throw line, while the home team shot 13-19.

In the second half, SWOSU fought from behind, staying within six points for the last 10 minutes of the game. They narrowed the deficit to just three points with 21 seconds left, with the ball in their hands. MJ Warrior drove to the basket, leaving Denali Alexander wide open for a kick-out three-pointer at the top of the key to tie the game. However, the shot fell just short, bouncing off the back rim. The Rangers sealed the win with free throws, finishing with a score of 70-64.

The final numbers showed SWOSU shooting 21-47 (44.7%) from the field and 6-17 (35.3%) from three-point range, while going 16-20 from the free throw line. The home team shot 20-51 (39.2%) from the field, 8-17 (47.1%) from three-point range, and 22-33 from the free throw line. The 33 free throw attempts marked the second-most by any opponent this year for the Bulldogs.

Warrior led the team with 13 points, five rebounds, and four assists. Four other Bulldogs scored in double figures: Alexander (12), Eli Al-Debaran (10), Tobias Roland (10), and Nate Reherman (10), who also grabbed a team-high eight rebounds.

The Bulldogs will now look ahead to avenge an early conference loss to Oklahoma Baptist on Saturday, January 25, at 7:30 pm in Shawnee.