MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Northwest jumped out to a 17-point first half lead and trailed just once all night, but had to hold off a late rally over the final nine minutes to escape with a 79-73 win over Tennessee Prep on Thursday night at LeMoyne-Owen College.

Northwest (2-1) fell behind 3-0 to start the game after Kohen Thompson's 3-pointer before Jitaurious Gordon quickly answered to tie. The Rangers never trailed the rest of the way.

Devon Benson, who finished with 20 points and 14 rebounds, was over halfway to his second career double-double in the first half as the Rangers led 38-25.

Nine different Rangers scored in the period as the team shot 44 percent and had 11 assists on 15 made field goals.

Tennessee Prep (0-1) trimmed what was a 13-point lead down to 44-40 in the opening six minutes of the second half, with Thompson leading the charge with eight quick points.

A pair of 3-pointers from Quez Williamson and Gordon helped extend the Ranger lead back to 56-44 with 10:44 to play.

The Diplomats made one final push in the final 3:44, rallying from a 73-65 deficit with six straight to make it a two-point game with 2:07 left.

Northwest allowed just one made field goal the rest of the way, closing things out with a pair of layups from Benson and Kendrick Fountain and two Nick Edwards free throws.

Four Rangers finished in double figures, including Benson (20), Gordon (13), Williamson (12) and Fountain (11). Gordon added seven assists while Fountain added seven boards. 

Kohen Thompson led Tennessee Prep with 17, followed by Tyren Collins with 16 and Jarred Roser with 15.

Northwest closed the night shooting at a 41 percent clip with 21 assists on 29 field goals. 

The Rangers will welcome nationally-ranked ASU Mid-South to Howard Coliseum on Monday, Nov. 12 for a 7 p.m. tipoff. Live video will be available through nwccrangers.com.