ALVA, Okla. — Garrett Butler scored 17 points and hit five 3-pointers in a 71-66 loss at Northwestern Oklahoma State. 

The Crimson Storm (5-2, 2-1 GAC) drop their first game in the Great American Conference season and their second straight. SNU as a team hit 11 3-pointers on the night and went 26-for-59 from the field. SNU only got to the line seven times and hit three free throws.

Butler went 6-for-9 from the field and 5-for-8 from beyond the arc. Francisco Hukill added 15 points, six rebounds and three assists. Willis also added 14 points, six rebounds and five assists. The Rangers (2-4, 1-0 GAC) picked up the win in their conference opener. Northwestern turned the ball over just five times and scored 24 points off of SNU turnovers. Northwestern also went 14-for-20 from the line. 

The Crimson Storm led 59-52 with 5:30 left to play and were up 64-60 with 2:42 left, but the Rangers closed with an 11-2 run.