ALVA, Okla. - After converting 7-9 free-throws in the final minute of the game, the Ouachita Tigers secured a 70-69 win over the Northwestern Oklahoma State Rangers on Saturday.

Colt Fason scored the first bucket of the game off an assist by Micah Delph, and the Tigers never looked back, never surrendering their lead. With 5:13 to play in the first half, the Tigers claimed their largest lead of the half at 12 points, but the Rangers (6-16, 5-10 GAC) immediately responded with a 7-0 and the half eventually ended with Ouachita head 32-25.  

The Tigers held Northwestern to 36 percent shooting from the floor, including only 2-11 from three-point range. Ouachita netted 44.4 percent of its shots in the first half, and nine of the Tigers' 12 field goals came off assists. 

Tirrell Brown led the way in the first half, scoring a team-high eight points and pulling down a game-high six rebounds. Carven Holcolmbe followed with six points.

In the second half, Ouachita maintained a lead of at least three points until finally claiming its largest lead of 13 after a 10-2 run, capped off with back-to-back layups from Brown. The Rangers slowly pulled their way back into the game, however, pulling within four points with just under two minutes remaining. 

Justin McCleary put a stop to Northwestern's run with a three-pointer off the pass from Fason, and after clutch, free-throw shooting, Ouachita escaped with the one-point victory.

Fason provided the offense in the second half, scoring 10 points and grabbing five boards. Brown added eight points, and Delph recorded six points and two assists.

For the game, the Tigers converted on only 59.4 percent of their free-throws but made 10 of their last 13. Ouachita was also out-rebounded by 11.

Despite shooting 7-17 from the floor, Brown scored a game-high total of 16 points to go along with nine rebounds. Fason was the only other Tiger to score in double-digits, as he scored 14. Delph dished out a team-high six assists while scoring nine points.

The victory was the closest game of the season for the Tigers, who are currently first in the Great American Conference with a record of 11-3. Ouachita will take the court again on Thursday, Feb. 12, as the Tigers host Southwestern Oklahoma State. Tip off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.