Alva, Okla. -- In a back-and-forth contest that featured 13 ties and 22 lead changes, the No. 24-ranked Northwestern Oklahoma State Rangers made the final push to escape with a 95-89 win Saturday night (Feb. 5) over the Mid-America Christian Evangels in Alva, Okla.   

The Evangels were bidding to become the first team this season to win on the road at NWOSU, as the Rangers are now a perfect 10-0 at home this season and had defeated opponents by an average of 16 points per game at home entering tonight's contest.  The six point win is also the fewest by the Rangers at home during conference play. 

The Evangels trailed by as many as 13 in the second half, but fought back with an 18-4 run and took the lead on a jumper by Nathan Pratt with 2:46 left. 

NWOSU (16-7, 10-5 SAC) regained the lead, but Brandon Williams tied the score again with a pair of free throws at 89-89.

But the Rangers hit two free throws to jump back on top, and a potential go-ahead three by Williams was off the mark and the Rangers put the game away at the charity stripe down the stretch. 

The opening half was also close throughout, as a three by Pratt put the Evangels up 40-37, but the Rangers scored the final four points to go into the locker room with a 41-40 lead. 

The Evangels (11-11, 7-9 SAC) nailed a season-high 15-of-31 from three-point range, but shot just 6-of-16 at the charity stripe. 

Pratt led the Evangels with 23 points and shot 5-of-12 beyond the arc.  Williams scored 17 and added a team-best six rebounds. 

Jonathan Freemyer and Orren Tims each scored 25 to lead the Ranger attack, with Freemyer also chipping in with seven boards.  Marshall Bell added 19 for NWOSU. 

The Evangels will now return to the friendly confines of the Gaulke Activity Center to host Rogers State on Thursday night (Feb. 10) at 8 p.m.  MACU will look to avenge a narrow 80-77 setback at RSU earlier this season.