Ranger Men's Basketball Starts Off Season with 74-63 Win Over Northwestern Oklahoma St.

Denver, Colo.: A cold shooting first half gave way to an offensive explosion in the second half as Regis defeated Northwestern Oklahoma State University 74-63 in the Regis University/Colorado Mines Thanksgiving Classic at the Regis Fieldhouse.  Regis hit on 66.7 percent from the field in the second half and 51.9 percent for the game.

Northwestern Oklahoma State (4-1) led for the first 5:43 minutes before senior Matt Rosinski's layup put the Rangers in the lead and besides a few ties would not relinquish the lead the rest of the way.

Regis (1-0) led at halftime 27-21 after limiting Northwestern Oklahoma State to just 24.1 percent shooting.

Regis began stretching their lead throughout the second half and led by as many as 22 points with 8:40 remaining.  However, NWOSU would not go away quietly and after getting the Rangers to turn the ball over a few times with a full court press, they went on a 16-2 run to cut the lead to 60-52 with 4:08 remaining.

Regis was able to hit their free throws down the stretch, going 10-for-14, to put the game away 74-63.

Rosinski led the Rangers with 16 points, while junior Jordan Martinez-Doublin had 15 points and a team-high nine rebounds.  Three other Rangers joined these two in double figures; senior Alex Potts had 11 points and an astounding eight blocked shots.  Junios Matt Busch and Curtis Mitchell each chipped in with 10 points.

Busch had seven rebounds helping Regis out-rebound Northwestern Oklahoma State 45-39, while sophomore Chris Johansen also recorded seven caroms.  Point guard junior Stevie Ledesma had five assists, while Potts chipped in with four helpers.

The win gives Regis head coach Lonnie Porter number 498 for his career.  The Rangers will go for Coach Porter's 499th tomorrow night as they host the final game of the classic against Kansas Wesleyan at 7:00 p.m.

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