Rangers beat Eufaula in Class 3A quarterfinals for first state win since 2018
OKLAHOMA CITY — Class 3A’s second-ranked Roland Runnin’ Rangers broke an eight-year winless streak at the state tournament and have made it to the state semifinals.
The Runnin’ Rangers broke open a tight game in the second half to knock off the ninth-ranked Eufaula Ironheads 68-43 in the Class 3A State Tournament quarterfinals Wednesday night at OG&E Coliseum, a.k.a., “The ‘New’ Big House,” for the team’s first win at state since 2018.
Members of the Roland Runnin’ Rangers, along with assistant coach Nick Mooney (far right) celebrate the team’s 68-43 win over Eufaula in Wednesday night’s Class 3A State Tournament quarterfinals for Roland’s first win at state since 2018. COURTESY PHOTO
The Runnin’ Rangers (24-1) will meet No. 6 Rejoice Christian at 8 p.m. Friday, March 13, at the University of Oklahoma’s Lloyd Noble Center in the Class 3A state semifinals as the Eagles upset No. 3 Oklahoma City Heritage Hall 61-59 in overtime in Wednesday night’s last state quarterfinal game.
The Roland-Rejoice Christian winner will meet the other state semifinal winner between No. 1 OKC Millwood and No. 11 Kingston for the state championship at 5 p.m. Saturday at OG&E Coliseum.
The Runnin’ Rangers got off to a fast start as they doubled the Ironheads (28-5) in the first quarter to the tune of 2412.
However, the Ironheads made things interesting in the second quarter as they cut their deficit to 26-22 with about two minutes left before halftime. However, that was as close as they got.
The Runnin’ Rangers ended the first half with a 6-0 run to take a 32-22 lead into the locker rooms at halftime.
It was the third quarter where the Runnin’ Rangers put away the game as they outscored the Ironheads 24-8 in the period, which was capped by a Mason Kemp free throw with 1:15 left in the quarter to put Roland ahead 56-30 going into the final period.
The Runnin’ Rangers enjoyed as great as a 31-point lead twice in the fourth quarter, with the last time coming at 66-35 on a 3-point basket by Damonte “Bubba” Owens with 4:20 left to play.
Owens led all scorers with a gamehigh 23 points to lead Roland, followed by Raidyn Knight with 12 points, Kemp and Cason Perryman with 11 points each, Kade Shook with seven points and Landon Fowler and Bryson Myers with two points apiece.
