SENATOBIA – Northwest raced out to a 22-point halftime lead and never let Northeast get within single digits the rest of the way, as they took down the division-leading Tigers, 93-82, Thursday night to force a three-way tie atop the north standings.
Northwest improved to 14-6 overall and 6-3 in the north while Northeast fell to 14-6 and 6-3. With Itawamba's 75-70 win over Holmes, the Rangers, Tigers and Bulldogs are all tied with three division games remaining.
Dre'Kalo Clayton hit a pair of early 3-pointers and the Rangers scored 24 of the game's first 30 points to knock the Tigers on their heels.
Northwest forced 15 first-half turnovers (11 steals) and committed only four, owning an 18-2 edge in points off turnovers. The Rangers also dominated in the paint with a 26-8 edge.
Seth LeDay's layup just before the halftime buzzer off a
Tyrin Jones assist made it 49-27 Rangers at the half.
A whistle-filled second half slowed the pace of play drastically, with the teams combining for 31 fouls and 41 free throw attempts.
After the Rangers scored the first four of the second half to stretch the lead to 53-27, Northeast began to chip away at the free throw line and from beyond the arc.
The Tigers strung together a 20-6 run, highlighted by back-to-back threes, to pull within 64-54 at the 10:14-mark before Northwest countered with buckets by
Mark Partee and LeDay.
Northeast got to within 10 three times in the final two minutes but Partee, Jones and the Rangers were able to seal it at the charity stripe by making 7 of 10 attempts.
Northwest shot 54 percent in the half and finished at 49 percent for the game.
LeDay closed with 28 points and 12 rebounds, his eighth double-double of the year, followed by Jones with 19 points (17 in second half) and six steals and Partee with 15 points and six assists.
Four Tigers finished in double figures, paced by Wesley Harris with 17 points and nine boards off the bench.
Northwest will hit the road Monday, traveling to Mississippi Delta for an 8 p.m. tip in Moorhead. Live video/stats available.
