Rangers rout Coyotes racking up 3rd-straight W

Ranger came looking to make a statement early when they went up 7-0 and pushed that to 19-6 following back-to-back three's by Caleb Smith. Weatherford came back and kept it close for the time being by running off seven-straight points. However, that was about all the fight the Coyotes had left. Ranger went on to score 64 points in the first 20 minutes rolling to a 99-73 win.

DECIDING MOMENTS

Following the Coyotes comeback, Ranger went on a series of big runs. Keyshaad Dixon pushed the lead back to double figures with a fastbreak layup to make it, 34-23. The breakaway layup quickly became a theme, Jabri McCall and Royce Hunter got in on the act, Hunter's made it 45-25 with 4:30 left in the half. Ranger kept it coming, Jevon Brown came through on and-one that pushed the lead to 22. Smith knocked down his third triple of the half and it was 54-30, RC. Devonte Patterson put the final nail in the coffin when he drilled a three-pointer right as the first half buzzer sounded to give Ranger a 64-36 lead at the break. 

Ranger knocked down five three's in the first 20 minutes.

BREAKING OUT OF THE BOX SCORE

In what is quickly becoming a season-long trend, Ranger had, in this case, five players score in double figures led by Patterson with 18.

Smith, who made three of those five first-half long balls, finished with 15.

Akiem Daschner had 13. McCall added 12 and Jevon Brown came off the bench and chipped in with 11.

POSTSEASON POSITIONING 

Having run off three straight wins to close out the first round of conference play, Ranger has a firm grasp on the final regional tournament spot at No. 4. RC sits ahead of Hill College and currently owns the tiebreaker vs. the Rebels.

SCHEDULE SAYS

Ranger opens the second half of the conference slate against No. 19 McLennan on Wednesday. The Highlanders beat RC 66-55 in the conference opener for both teams.