SENATOBIA – Northwest jumped out to a 21-point halftime lead but had to hold off a big second half for Holmes to pull off a 74-70 upset of the 13th-ranked Bulldogs Thursday night.

Northwest improved to 8-2 overall and 1-0 in the north. The victory marked Bubba Skelton's 250th career win with the Rangers and he needs just two more to pass Cat Robbins as the winningest men's basketball coach in school history.

The Rangers scored 17 of the game's first 22 points and took total control into the half. 

Tyrin Jones scored 13 points and Mark Partee added 11 as Northwest shot 47 percent from the floor and rattled in six 3-pointers while holding Holmes to just 33 percent shooting.

But Holmes (7-1, 0-1) wouldn't go away quietly, as D'Angelo Richardson scored all 16 of his points in the second half and the Bulldogs shot a sizzling 62 percent to make it a ballgame late.

Jones' layup and ensuing free throw with 12:55 to play gave Northwest a 59-42 lead, but the Rangers were held without a field goal the rest of regulation as Holmes closed in.

A 17-7 run, capped by a Richardson 3-pointer, pulled the Bulldogs within 66-59 with 6:06 to play. Holmes pulled within four and as close as 73-70 with 33 seconds left, but a late free throw by Dre'Kalo Clayton sealed the deal for Northwest. 

Northwest won the turnover (16-14), rebound (41-29) and free throw (26-14 FTM) battle in the huge home victory.

Jones finished with 19 points, followed by Seth LeDay with 16 and Partee with 15. Clayton finished with nine points and 10 boards. Keelin Jackson had five points and three rebounds in 20 key minutes off the bench.

Holmes was led by Richardson's 16, one of four Bulldogs in double figures.

Northwest will travel to Itawamba (5-4, 1-0) on Tuesday, Dec. 8 for an 8 p.m. tip in Fulton.