Box Score

Northwestern Oklahoma used a huge second half run to beat Henderson State 91-77, Saturday at the Duke Wells Center in Arkadelphia, Ark.

The Rangers, 11-13 overall and 8-10 in the GAC, outscored the Reddies 56 to 30 in the second half making 19-of 35 shots from the field for 54 percent shooting, while knocking down an astonishing 16-of-18 free throws.

Henderson State, 11-15 overall and 7-11 in league play, shot 41 percent in the half making 11-of-27 attempts, but managed to get to the foul line just nine times, making six. The Reddies also had nine crucial turnovers in the half.

Henderson State had a 47-35 lead at the half as Deoirvay Johnson hit four 3-point field goals while Taylor Smith an Melvin Haynes had two each.

The Reddies were 9-of-14 from beyond the arc in the first 20 minutes while shooting 60 percent from the field, while the Rangers were just 12-of-32 in the half for 38 percent.

Northwestern Oklahoma began the second-half on fire going on a 15-3 run, tying the game at 50 with 16 minutes remaining.

The next four minutes saw four different lead changes, then Bryan Umoru , Johnson, and Ryan Yeates combined for consecutive jumpers to give the Reddies a 61-56 lead at the 11:12 mark.

The Rangers would regain the lead scoring the next seven points as Bruce Wright scored four straight points, pushing NWOSU ahead 63-61.

After extending the lead to eight, the Rangers maintained the lead throughout the remainder of the second half. The Reddies pulled to as close as two at the 4:32 mark, but couldn't get enough stops down the stretch.

Johnson led HSU with 16 points and pulled down five boards. Smith contributed with 11 points, and Murphy and Haynes each had 10.

After making nine 3-point field goals in the first-half, the Reddies managed just 2-for-8 in the final 20 minutes.

Wright, would lead the Rangers in scoring with 29 points, also collected 10 rebounds.

Henderson State will next face Ouachita Baptist on Thursday in the Southern Bancorp Battle of the Ravine with tip-off set for Vining Arena at 7:30 p.m.