SENATOBIA – Five Northeast players ended in double figures as the opposing Tigers handed Northwest its worst loss of the season, 87-61, at Howard Coliseum on Thursday evening.

Northwest dropped to 13-7 and 5-4 in division play as Northeast improved to 19-1 overall and 8-1 in the MACJC North. Despite the loss, the Rangers remain in third place in the division, two games ahead of fourth place ties Holmes and Itawamba, both 3-5 in division action.

Northwest led just twice throughout the contest, 2-0 (after a James Richards III basket to open the game) and 6-5 (after a Tomias Brand layup). From there, the Tigers quickly gained control with a 10-0 run to go up 15-6 at the 12:46 mark of the first half.

Outside shooting was not kind to the Rangers throughout the evening, particularly in the first half when Northwest started 0-15 from three-point range. In contrast, Northeast shot 44 percent from the floor in the first half and led by as many as 29, before taking a 44-20 lead into halftime.

Things did not improve much for Northwest in the second half either, as Northeast led by 20 or more for the remainder of the contest.

Jakobi Pearson nearly earned a double-double for the Rangers in the loss, finishing with 18 points and nine rebounds. Brand and Richards each scored 11 points, with Richards also adding six assists and five boards.

Jalen Perkins led Northeast with 20 points as DeAnthony Tipler added 18 points and six rebounds. JonDarius Warren netted just three points for the Tigers but earned a double-double with 13 assists and 10 rebounds.

Northwest was able to improve from a 21 percent shooting effort in the first half to 36 percent in the second half, finishing the contest at 28 percent from the floor. The Tigers shot 49 percent on the evening.

Northeast came away with the slight edge in rebounds, 54-50. Additionally, Northwest was outscored 22-4 off the bench and 46-22 in the paint.

Northwest will hit the road at East Mississippi and Mississippi Delta next week, first facing off with the division-leading Lions on Monday, Feb. 10 in Scooba. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. with live stats available at nwccrangers.com.