SEARCY, Ark. – Northwestern Oklahoma State men's basketball rode a dominant second half from AJ Jones and Treyvon Andres to take care of Harding University 79-57, remaining unbeaten while moving to 6-0 on the season. After a slow offensive start, the Rangers made their adjustments and shot an impressive 66.7 percent (20-of-30) in the second half to pick up the victory in the first game of their Arkansas road swing.
With a 5-0 record to open their 2017-18 campaign, the Rangers expectations were high heading into battle with the Bisons in hostile territory. But with Harding's 0-4 start to the year, Rhodes-Reeves Field House wasn't nearly as intimidating of an atmosphere as in years past. After jumping out to an early six point lead, Harding went ice cold for nearly nine minutes in the first half, allowing the Rangers to take a seven point lead into the break.
The two teams would head to the locker room with the Rangers leading 29-22.
Sophomore transfer AJ Jones looked sharp as the 6'0 guard knocked down 21 points on 6-of-11 shooting, including 3-for-5 from three-point land. Jones produced on both sides of floor, adding two steals while helping the Rangers hold Harding shooters to just 39 percent from the field.
In the first few minutes of the ballgame, the Bisons built themselves an early lead after connecting on six of their first seven field goals. But after using the first media timeout to settle his squad, head coach Shawn Dirden's effective defense was on full display as the Rangers managed to hold Harding to just 2-of-17 to close out the first half.
Northwestern came out of halftime with a chip on their shoulders, building on to a lead that would climb to as many as 24 points in the second half.
Continuing his dominant play was Andres who had a quiet 18 points in the win, shooting an efficient 8-for-12 inside the paint. The 6'7" Denver, Colo. native's mighty wingspan gave the Bisons trouble all night as Andres added four blocks to move into a tie for second in the Great American Conference with 11 on the season.
Northwestern defenders snatched up a season-high 13 steals with Jones (3), A'keem Oglesby (3), Brandon Green (2) and Greg Minor Jr. (2) all getting in on the action. The Rangers played by far their most disciplined game of the year as the black-and-red committed only nine personal fouls.
The Rangers are off to their best start since joining the NCAA in 2012. Thursday's victory marks the first time that Northwestern has won their first six games to open a season since 2010-2011.
Up Next
Northwestern will look to continue their red-hot start when they head to Russellville, Ark. on Saturday, Dec. 2 to take on Arkansas Tech. The Wonder Boys are coming off an 88-81 win over Southwestern Oklahoma State and are a perfect 4-0 inside Tucker Coliseum. Game time is set for 3 p.m. and can be heard live on the Pulse 105.7 FM in Alva or at http://www.alvaradio.com
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