BOONEVILLE - Northwest closed out the fall 2023 semester with an even split in last weekend's Harvey Childers Classic, hosted by Northeast Mississippi Community College.
On Friday evening, the Rangers delivered a 77-63 victory against Motlow State, before dropping Saturday's matchup to State Fair by a 88-78 margin.
One thing that both games had in common was
Darren Davis' performance. The sophomore forward from Olive Branch scored a 30-point, 14-rebound double-double in the win against Motlow State, while also adding team-high 23 points and seven rebounds in the loss to State Fair.
Tied 36-36 at halftime against Motlow State, the Rangers broke the game open midway through the second half, outscoring the Bucks by a 41-27 margin.
Nolan Wells posted 12 points and six rebounds, along with 11 points and four rebounds from
Marquavous Jones.
Jordan Ealey also came off the bench to provide seven points and seven rebounds, while
Thomas Tangle led the Rangers with three blocks. Motlow State had three players finish in double figures, led by LaVonte Harris' 20 points.
Northwest shot 48 percent from the floor and 35 percent from beyond the arc, while the Bucks were limited to 33 percent shooting and just 20 percent from three-point range.
In Saturday's loss to State Fair, Northwest narrowly trailed the Roadrunners by three points at halftime, 40-37. Although the game remained close between the two teams, State Fair hit a string of big shots late in the second half without a response from the Rangers, giving the Roadrunners' separation.
Davis had seven rebounds to go with his 23 points, while
Shavurdacour Nicholas hit 19 points and eight rebounds. Jones also collected 15 points to aid the Rangers.
Four players scored in double figures for State Fair, led by 18 points and nine rebounds from Thomas Diew. Isaiah Jackson also earned a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds.
Northwest finished the game shooting 44 percent, while State Fair shot 52 percent from the floor. The Roadrunners gained an edge in three-point shooting as well, shooting 48 percent compared to just 28 percent from the Rangers.
With the split, Northwest enters Christmas Break with a 3-7 overall record. The Rangers are scheduled to resume competition on Saturday, January 6 at Dyersburg State, set for a 4 P.M. start time. The next home game will take place on Thursday, January 11 against Copiah-Lincoln.
