SENATOBIA – Behind another career-high, 31-point performance from freshman Tremont Robinson and three others in double figures, Northwest protected its home court in a 93-85 win against Northeast on Monday night.

Northwest improved on its best start in 12 years to 16-2 overall and 7-1 in the MACJC North Division, while Northeast fell to 14-5 and 5-3 in division play. The Rangers also swept the season series.

Trailing 6-3 in the opening minutes of the game, Northwest tied the game with three made free throws for Therrell Gosier II.

Both teams spent the first 12 minutes trading leads, but after a 19-19 tie, the Rangers embarked on a 7-0 run led by a pair of layups from Jitaurious Gordon.

Northwest pushed the lead to as much as 10 and led by seven with 51 seconds remaining in the first half, before a pair of Conner McKay three-pointers allowed the Tigers to trim the margin down to 42-41 at halftime.

An excellent start to the second half allowed Northwest to pull away for a 52-45 lead before achieving a game-high 15-point lead at 65-50 with 12:44 remaining.

Northeast would not go silently, however, and with a Felix Hayes layup, the Tigers cut the lead back down to six at 69-63 with nine minutes to go.

Although the Tigers continued to hang around striking distance, the Rangers were able to move the lead back to double digits six more times before Northeast got as close as six in the final seconds of regulation.

A pair of made free throws from Justin Flakes and Radarius Washington would be all Northwest needed to seal the deal, however, as the Rangers picked up their fifth straight victory.

Robinson scored 21 of his 31 points in the second half and also added five steals and continues to lead the NJCAA in steals per game (5.3).

Radarius Washington totaled his third double-double of the season and second against Northeast with 12 points and 14 rebounds. Gosier also contributed 18 points, six rebounds and three blocks. Northwest scored 19 bench points, including 10 from Clinton Moses.

Bryce Smith led Northeast with 22 points and seven rebounds, followed by 17 from JaQuante Bell and 13 from McKay.

Northwest shot 47 percent from the floor and 65 percent from the line. The Rangers also outscored Northeast 17-4 in fast break points.

Northwest will host No. 25 Holmes (17-2, 7-1) on Thursday at 7 p.m. in a crucial division matchup. The Rangers will be looking to avenge a 24-point loss in Goodman and the game can be viewed live on nwccrangers.com/watch.