SENATOBIA – Northwest finished with four scorers in double figures and held off a late run from the visiting Holmes Bulldogs to stretch its winning streak to three games in a hard-fought, 73-70 win Monday night at Howard Coliseum.
Northwest improved to 6-7 overall and evened its record to 2-2 in the north division, currently in fourth place, as Holmes slipped to 10-5 overall and 3-2 in division action.
For a seventh time this season, Northwest shot over 50 percent from the field, finishing right at the mark after connecting on 25-of-50 shots. Holmes closed the night shooting 42 percent.
Northwest led for the entire first half and took a 40-29 lead at the break, using 12 points from
Kenyatta Jones and 10 points from
Jordan Hulsey.
Holmes began to chip away at a double digit lead for the Rangers in the opening 8 minutes of the second half, trimming the lead down to two and tying the game for the first time at 53-53 with 10:03 to play.
The Bulldogs would take their first lead of the game at the 4:14-mark, using a layup and free throw from Deangelo Priar to go ahead 64-62.
Domonique Harris immediately tied the game and gave the Rangers back the lead with four consecutive free throws before Daniel Francis' 3-pointer gave Holmes back the lead at 67-66 with 1:48 remaining.
Jones' fourth 3-pointer of the night on the ensuing possession shifted the lead back to the Rangers at 69-67 and four consecutive free throws down the stretch from DeMarcus McVay and Everick Morris allowed Northwest to hold on for a crucial, 73-70 home win.
Jones' 18 points led all Ranger scorers, followed by 13 from A.J. Cunningham, 12 from Hulsey and 11 from Morris. Hulsey chipped in a game-high seven rebounds and Morris dished out six dimes, while Antonio Jones picked up five big rebounds off the bench in six minutes of action.
Holmes was paced by Priar's 23 points and 10 rebounds in addition to 19 points and nine rebounds off the bench from Demarcus Lewis.
Northwest will hit the road Thursday, traveling to Coahoma (7-8, 1-4 north) for an 8 p.m. tipoff in Clarksdale.
