ALVA, OKLA. - The Oklahoma City University men's basketball team dropped a 78-62 decision to Northwestern Oklahoma City in Saturday's exhibition action inside Perceful Fieldhouse. 

Oklahoma City (2-3) got off to a strong start with Avery Jackson knocking down a three in the opening possession and went on to score six of the first 10 OCU points as the Stars led 10-8. 

Northwestern Oklahoma State (2-2) came right back at the Stars, turning in a 14-2 run and getting up by as much as 15 points in the first half and took a 41-27 lead into the halftime break. 

The Stars began to creep back in as Jackson snatched a pair of free throws from the charity stripe to narrow the deficit back to single digits. After the free throws Oklahoma City hit its stride and went on a 14-8 run and to trail by only three points after freshman Clayton Jewell and Beau Tranter had a pair of layups followed by a Brandon Jackson make from downtown. 

From that point on the Rangers began to pull away, enforcing its will on the defensive end by allowing the Stars to get only 10 points in the final 11 minutes of play and only two points in the final 5:25. NWOSU was able to extend its lead back out to 16 on a Jack Norris three in garbage time for the Rangers to secure a 78-62 victory on Saturday. 

Avery Jackson was the high-point man with 18 points while going 5-16 from the field and hauled in eight rebounds. 

Brandon Jackson was the only other Star to score in double-figures as the senior notched 14 points with eight rebounds while going 4-8 from range. 

James Cloud got the first start of his OCU career as the freshman cashed in on a pair of threes while going a perfect 3-3 from the foul line. 

Northwestern Oklahoma State outshot the Stars from the field shooting 46.3% while Oklahoma City was 31.3% on the day. 

The Rangers won the turnover battle by an 11-9 margin as NWOSU picked up six steals to the Oklahoma City two which came from sophomore Avery Jackson. 

OCU will take a short break and pick things back up after the thanksgiving break as the Stars tip off conference play against John Brown on Tuesday, Nov. 28 in Siloam Springs, Ark.