Box Score The 25th-ranked Northwestern Oklahoma State Rangers didn't get to shoot a free throw in the second half of their Sooner Athletic Conference game at Wayland Baptist on Saturday and only got four the entire contest, but still managed to walk away with a 64-46 victory over the Pioneers.
On the other end of the court, the WBU men had their best day this season at the charity stripe, knocking down 16 of their 19 attempts. Junior Bobby Watkins, who had been struggling of late from the free throw line, knocked down 14 of 15, and finished with a game-high 18 points.
Once again the Pioneer defense did its job, holding the opponent to 12 points below their season average. NWOSU came into the contest as the NAIA's #10 team in three-pointers made, averaging just over eight a game, but the Rangers made just five against the Wayland Â'D' and none in the final 20 minutes.
Unfortunately, that was about the only good news on the Pioneer end of the court. WBU shot just 31 percent from the field, making only 13 field goals in the game.
The Rangers outscored Wayland 36-10 in the paint, won the battle of the boards 40-30, and converted 19 Pioneer turnovers into 24 points.
Watkins pulled down a team-high six boards, and Johnny Terra passed out three assists, had two blocks and two steals.
WBU (6-13, 1-11) returns to Hutcherson Center next week for two more games. On Thursday, Mid-America Christian University visits, followed by Oklahoma City on Saturday.
