SENATOBIA - Jordan Johnson's home debut couldn't have been scripted any better.

Johnson, a Baton Rouge native and Coastal Alabama-North transfer, rattled off 21 points to match his college career-high, as Northwest fought its way to a 75-69 win against Holmes on Monday evening. The victory helped the Rangers pump the brakes on a three-game losing streak, improving Shane Oakley's club to a 3-8 overall record and a 1-1 mark in conference play.

Johnson drew just his second start for the Rangers and almost immediately began to make his impact felt, finishing with 13 points in the first half. His 21-point total matches his career-high he earned against Gadsden State on December 2, 2021, while still a member of Coastal Alabama-North.

Northwest delivered the first blows early, as Joseph Cooper opened the game with a jumper, followed by a free throw from Jaylon Sanders and a successful layup from Darren Davis. However, the Rangers' 5-2 lead was quickly squashed by a 7-0 run from Holmes, highlighted by a three-pointer from Caleb Campbell off a fast break.

Trailing 12-10 with 11 minutes to go in the first half, Northwest soon fell behind by double figures, as the Bulldogs began to do their damage from beyond the arc. A three-pointer from Dominic Simpkins pushed Holmes to a 23-12 advantage with 7:45 to go.

Jayvian Shaw responded with a three-pointer out of the timeout to cut the deficit to eight, but Holmes continued to stay a couple steps ahead. With less than three minutes remaining, the Bulldogs took their largest lead of the first half off back-to-back three-pointers from Simpkins, pushing the Rangers into a 14-point hole.

After Simpkins made yet another three with 23 seconds to go, Johnson hit a jumper with two seconds left to send Northwest into the break down by nine, 43-34. Campbell and Simpkins combined for 26 of the Bulldogs' 43 first half points, with all of Simpkins' points coming from three-point range.

Although Holmes stretched its lead back to double figures on numerous occasions, Northwest slowly but surely worked its way back within striking distance. The Rangers closed the gap to six points, 50-44, after Johnson's fast break dunk with 14:31 left, only for the Bulldogs to regain an 11-point advantage.

A three-pointer from Johnson at the 10:30 mark once again brought Northwest within six, but Holmes again extended its lead back to 10 points with 8:46 to go, thanks to another Campbell three-pointer.

Trailing 60-50, the Rangers went on an 8-0 run, capped off by a three-pointer from Tiquale Taylor, bringing Northwest within 60-58. From there, Holmes was on the ropes, as the Rangers continued to grind their way back into the game.

Jaylon Sanders' three-pointer tied the game at 62 apiece with 5:12 to go, but the Bulldogs would twice regain a four-point lead. The tipping point finally came with 2:59 left, as Sanders sank another three and followed with a layup on the next possession, giving Northwest the 69-68 lead with 1:26 left.

Sanders was then sent to the free throw line after Campbell's fifth foul and the sophomore made both, pushing the Rangers to a three-point advantage. Holmes would make one of their two free throws with 35 seconds left, but a layup from Taylor and a pair of made free throws sealed the win for Northwest down the stretch.

Johnson coupled his leading scoring effort with six rebounds, two steals and a pair of blocks, while Sanders finished with 12 points. Cooper and Taylor finished with 11 points apiece, with Cooper also totaling seven rebounds and seven assists.

Devin Moore finished with five points off the bench, but led the Rangers in rebounding with 11 total boards. 

Northwest ended the night shooting 44 percent from the floor and 33 percent from three-point range. Holmes shot 44 percent on the evening, but the Bulldogs made only 23 percent of their shots in the second half (7-of-30). The Bulldogs' three-point shooting also dropped from 57 percent in the first half to just 20 percent in the second half, finishing 11-of-29 for the game.

Campbell led Holmes with 19 points, followed by 15 from Simpkins. Raymond Adams also totaled 13 points and eight rebounds, while Dacory Porter had 14 points on the evening. The Bulldogs dropped to 9-3 on the season and 1-1 in MACCC play with the loss.

Next up for Northwest is a visit to Jones College on Thursday, January 12 at 6 P.M. The Bobcats (9-3, 2-0 MACCC) are coming off a close win against Meridian and an overtime victory against Mississippi Gulf Coast. Read Full Article