Box Score SUMMIT - In his first start since February 2, Northwest sophomore Joseph Cooper went off for 27 points in the Rangers' 103-93 road loss at Southwest Mississippi on Tuesday evening.

Cooper was one of four Rangers to finish in double figures, followed by 19 points from Jordan Johnson, 15 points from Jaylon Sanders and a 14-point effort from Marquavous Jones. Northwest remained within striking distance for most of the game, with the Bears pulling away down the final stretch.

Northwest dropped its seventh straight game, falling to 5-17 on the season and 3-10 in the MACCC. Meanwhile, the Bears improved to 16-10 overall and 9-5 in conference play.

Southwest Mississippi held a narrow 17-16 lead midway through the first half and stretched the lead to a small six-point margin at halftime, 48-42. Northwest chomped at the heels of the Bears throughout the first part of the second half, cutting the lead down to three on numerous occasions, only for SMCC to take a 10-point lead with roughly four minutes to go.

Mark Drone had 27 points to lead the Bears, while Javius Moore and Deon Brown added 16 points apiece. Blake Hart and Jahshawne Joseph also scored in double digits, finishing with 13 and 10 points, respectively.

Northwest will close out the 2022-23 season on Thursday, hosting Copiah-Lincoln for Sophomore Night. The Wolves (16-5, 10-2 MACCC) are in the midst of a nine-game winning streak since January 19, most recently earning an 87-80 victory against Mississippi Gulf Coast on Tuesday night.

Tipoff from Howard Coliseum is set for 6 P.M. on Ranger TV and Action News 5 Plus, with Sophomore Night ceremonies scheduled prior to the tipoff.