SCOOBA – Northwest carried a 36-33 lead into the half at EMCC Tuesday night before the Lions caught fire and shot 69 percent in the second half to pull away for an 88-80 win in the north division opener for both teams.

EMCC improved to 5-3 overall, 1-0 in the division, while Northwest fell to 7-2 and 0-1 in the north.

The Lions led by a small margin for the game's opening nine minutes before Northwest took control of the first half.

Northwest forced four consecutive turnovers and turned that into points on the other end, with Jaylan Shelton, Brandon Cranford and Dakota Dailey all contributing baskets as the Rangers took a 15-12 lead.

Northwest's lead was as many as six, 25-19, with 5:44 left in the half and the Rangers were able to hold a slim 36-33 lead at intermission.

EMCC's hot shooting second half started from its opening possession, with Keith Harris draining a jumper and Josh Skinner following with a 3-pointer to put the Lions back on top, 38-36.

Tied at 46-46 with 13:53 to play, five quick points from EMCC forced Northwest to call a timeout.

The Lions' lead quickly grew to 58-48 with back-to-back threes and Northwest was unable to find an answer offensively.

Northwest mounted one last rally down by 16 with 1:54 left, using five quick points from Dante Sterling, four from Dailey and a basket from Shelby McEwen to get within 85-80 with 13 seconds left.

But EMCC was able to salt it away at the free throw line for the 88-80 win.

Five Lions finished in double figures, led by 23 from David McFarland. Keelin Jackson had 19 for Northwest, followed by 16 from Dailey and 13 from Sterling in 12 minutes.

EMCC finished at a 53 percent clip against 41 percent for Northwest.

Northwest will return to action at Arkansas Baptist on January 10 after the Christmas break.