Box Score POPLARVILLE - Though it was a close game for most of the evening, Northwest saw No. 16 Pearl River pull away over the final three minutes of regulation, as the Wildcats ended the Rangers' season with a 63-44 loss in the NJCAA Region 23 Quarterfinals.

Northwest trailed by 13 at halftime, but remained within a couple of possessions throughout most of the second half. The Rangers got within six points numerous times, but that was as close as Northwest would get against top-seeded Pearl River.

Pearl River scored the game's first two baskets and led 8-3 in the early stages of the contest, but Northwest hit back-to-back three-pointers, then tied the game at 8-8 on a layup with 13 minutes left in the first half. However, the Wildcats outscored the Rangers 29-16 over the remainder of the half, sending Northwest to the locker room in a 37-24 hole.

Northwest quickly shrunk the deficit to eight early in the second half, but Pearl River remained one step ahead throughout the matchup, finally pulling away down the stretch.

Isaiah Gaines led Northwest with 11 points and nine rebounds in the contest, while Joseph Cooper and Ethan Pickett tallied nine points apiece. Pickett also added five rebounds and three steals, followed by six points from Zandon Haralson.

Jaronn Wilkens led the Wildcats with 15 points and six rebounds, followed by a pair of 12-point performances off the bench from J.D. Allen and Jariyon Wilkens.

Pearl River shot 42 percent from the floor and the Wildcats' defense limited Northwest to a 27 percent shooting effort. The Rangers were also 10 percent from three-point range after starting the game with two made baskets from beyond the arc.

Additionally, the Wildcats pulled down a 43-29 advantage in total rebounds and outscored the Rangers' bench 26-9.

With the loss, Northwest ends the season at 18-8 overall, the Rangers' best finish in the Shane Oakley coaching era and the program's most victories since achieving a 22-4 record during the 2017-18 season.