Box Score FULTON - Behind 16 points from freshman Jaylon Sanders and 14 from DeAntoni Gordon, Northwest won back-to-back games for the first time this season with a 61-58 victory at Itawamba on Monday evening.

Northwest got the hot hand going early in the first half and led 14-6 with 12:15 remaining, only for the Indians to trim the deficit to just one, 30-29, at the halftime break.

Both teams continued the back-and-forth affair throughout the second half, as the Indians finally got a 58-56 edge with 2:23 left in regulation, thanks to a Rod Jones jumper.

With 30 seconds left and a 58-58 tie, Northwest came up clutch at the free throw line, sinking three shots to create the separation needed for the win. James Richards III hit one of his two shots with 9.8 seconds left and Sanders followed with a pair of made shots with 8.6 seconds remaining.

Northwest improved to 7-7 on the season, while ICC fell to 5-8 on the season. The Rangers will await its postseason opponent in the newly expanded NJCAA Region 23 Tournament, which is slated to begin on Tuesday, March 30. 

More information will be posted at nwccrangers.com when available, including coverage links and opponent information.