Box Score BOONEVILLE – After squandering an 18-point first half lead, Northwest had to rally from a 9-point deficit with 7:50 remaining to hold off Baton Rouge Monday night 90-86 on Day 1 of the Northeast Tipoff Classic.

Northwest (1-0) won its sixth season-opener in the past seven seasons, while Baton Rouge fell to 1-1.

Sharwyn McGee posted his fifth career double-double with 27 points (career-high) and 10 rebounds on 10-of-15 shooting in addition to a career-high 21 points from Courtney Shannon.

Leading by a field goal late in the first half, Northwest broke away with an 18-3 run, sparked by back-to-back Shannon 3s, to go ahead 44-26 before seven unanswered for the Bears made it a 44-33 at the half.

After shooting just 29 percent in the opening 20 minutes, BRCC was able to hang around and slowly climb back into the game by getting to the charity stripe. All told, the Bears hit 37-of-55 free throws, outscoring Northwest by 14 points on the line.

A 13-0 BRCC run at the 10:17-mark of the second half put them ahead 65-57 before a barrage of 3-pointers by Shannon, Sebastian Petty and Ashton Woodson helped the Rangers tie the game at 76-all with 3:01 to play.

A layup by Shannon, followed by a tough drive to the basket by De'Sean Dockery put Northwest ahead for good at 80-76 and the Rangers were able to salt the game away with late free throws.

Northwest led for 31:03 of the game and shot 41 percent from the floor and 43 percent from 3-point range.

A total of 11 different Rangers scored a bucket, led by McGee, Shannon and Woodson in double figures.

Northwest will face off with Southwest Mississippi at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 4 to close out the Classic.

Live video at NEMCCTV.com and live stats at www.sidearmstats.com/northwestms/mbball.