FULTON – Despite a game-high 28 points from sophomore Seth LeDay, one of four Rangers in double figures, Northwest couldn't overcome 52 percent shooting from the charity stripe and a minus-23 rebounding deficit in falling 86-80 to Southwest in the MACJC Tournament Quarterfinals on Monday at the Davis Event Center.

Southwest improved to 15-8 and will face East Mississippi in the tournament semifinals at 1 p.m. on Wednesday while the Rangers fell to 16-8 and will have to wait a week for redemption at the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament in Clinton. 

Both teams shot 46 percent from the floor for the game but the final outcome was ultimately decided at the charity stripe. Southwest hit 28-of-36 attempts from the line while the Rangers hit just 16-of-31.

Northwest trailed for the game's first 15:59 before pulling ahead, 31-30, on Mark Partee's 3-pointer that capped a 7-0 run. C.J. Chatman's tip-in and a LeDay jumper later helped the Rangers take a 40-39 lead at half. 

Sikes and Miller then took over for the Bears in the second half, combining for 32 points on 10-of-16 shooting and pulling down 15 rebounds.

The game stayed within 3-6 points for the ensuing 15 minutes, with Southwest taking a 79-70 lead with 2:04 to play. Northwest fought back to within four seconds later on Tyrin Jones' tip-in but more missed free throws eventually did the Rangers in.

Behind LeDay's 28, Jones added 15, Dre'Kalo Clayton added 12 and Partee chipped in 11 in the loss. Murray State commit Terrell Miller scored 23 points and added 18 boards in addition to 27 from Rodrick Sikes for the Bears.

Northwest will face Jones County next Thursday, March 3 in the region tournament at A.E. Wood Coliseum in Clinton.