RC knocks off No. 25 Hill College to earn their first conference win

Facing a ranked team for the second-straight game Ranger played host to No. 25 Hill College looking for a W in the conference win column. A fast start that included a 9-0 run on three-straight and-one conversions gave Ranger a 13-point halftime lead. That bulge grew to 20 early in the second before the Rebels showed some fight drawing to within just four points. However, they wouldn't get any closer. Malik Archer hit a pair of three's that put a halt to the Hill comeback and gave the Rangers their first conference win, 92-82.

DECIDING MOMENTS
It looked for a moment like the nationally-ranked Rebels where going to get run out of the gym to start the second half. Jabri McCall knocked down a corner three that gave RC a 62-46 lead. That margin grew to 66-46 with just over 15 minutes to play.
That's when Hill started the comeback effort and cut the lead to 66-56 at the 10:56 mark. A monster dunk by Quinton Brigham cut the lead to 66-62 at the eight-minute mark. But, that was the last highlight for the visitors. Archer came off the bench and made an impact instantly hitting two 3-point shots in the span of 90 seconds that put Ranger back up 77-69. Akiem Daschner regained the Rangers double-digit lead with a layup on the following possession, which set up Keyshaad Dixon who put the final nail in the coffin with yet another 3-ball that put RC up 89-76 with just under two minutes to play.

BREAKING OUT OF THE BOX SCORE
It was a balanced scoring attack for Ranger who scored over 90 points for the for the 11th time this season in just 20 games.
Caleb Smith had a big first half on the way to a team-high 18.
Devonte Patterson came off the bench to add 16.
Jabri McCall got the start and scored 15.
Daschner and Dixon each added 12.

SCHEDULE SAYS
Ranger is at Collin County on Saturday. The Cougars are 1-1 in conference play coming off a loss at Weatherford on Wednesday.