SENATOBIA – Behind 26 points from Jitaurious Gordon and a double-double from Quez Williamson, Northwest overcame a 10-point halftime deficit to defeat SAU Tech, 96-91, at Howard Coliseum on Tuesday night.

The win allowed Northwest to avenge its early-season loss to the Rockets and improve to 4-3 on the season. SAU Tech fell to 6-4 overall.

SAU Tech raced out to a 10-4 lead within the first three minutes of the contest and the Rockets led for the remainder of the second half. The Rangers, however, stayed within striking distance thanks to Gordon's 10 first half points and trailed 54-44 at the break.

Northwest came out of the locker room on fire, stringing together a 12-3 run over the first four minutes of the second half to trim the gap to one, 57-56. Quieran Gray's layup would tie the contest at 62 apiece just a few minutes later.

Alec Rayburn's three-point basket at the 12:17 mark of the second half helped the Rangers take a 65-63 advantage, their first lead since being up 4-3 within the first two minutes of the contest.

Northwest would then embark on an 8-0 run over the next minute and a half, stretching its lead to 73-63.

SAU Tech did not go away quietly down the stretch as the Rockets eventually stormed back and pulled within two with 1:39 remaining, before Gordon made a layup and a pair of free throws to ice the victory with less than a minute left.

Gordon's 26 points was one shy of his career-high of 27, which he achieved against SAU Tech earlier in November. For Williamson, it was his first double-double of the season (13 points, 11 rebs.) and his fifth game of scoring 10-plus points.

Devon Benson and Kendrick Fountain also scored in double figures with 13 and 11, respectively.

SAU Tech was paced by a 26-point effort from Sheldon Stevens off the bench and 20 points from Jaland Mitchell. 

Northwest will resume action on Thursday, Nov. 29 at Arkansas Baptist. Tipoff from Little Rock is scheduled for 6 p.m.