Box Score CAMDEN, Ark. - Behind several double-digit rallies in the first half, Northwest went toe-to-toe with SAU Tech in the second half and left Thursday's road contest with a 79-74 victory.

Northwest earned the season sweep against SAU Tech and improved to 8-2 on the season. The Rockets dropped to 5-5 overall with the loss.

SAU Tech buried the Rangers in a 12-0 deficit to open the contest, but Northwest quickly regrouped with a 13-2 run to close the gap to 15-13, with 14:22 remaining in the opening half.

Although the Rockets responded with a massive run that set up a 15-point advantage with 6:45 remaining, Northwest closed the half on a 19-4 run to force a 40-40 tie at the break.

Both teams played back-and-forth throughout the second half, with numerous ties and lead changes. Although SAU Tech led for a majority of the second half, the Rangers finally took a 69-68 advantage with 3:37 to go and never looked back.

Isaiah Gaines led the Rangers with 21 points, while Joseph Cooper and Ethan Pickett finished with 18 and 11 points, respectively. Kareem Thompson also provided Northwest with a boost off the bench, scoring seven points.

Northwest will resume MACCC competition on Thursday, January 6 against Jones College. Tipoff is set for 6 P.M. from Howard Coliseum.