DECATUR - Although Northwest recovered after falling behind early in the first half, the Rangers were just unable to outmatch East Central down the stretch of Tuesday's 78-70 loss to the Warriors.

Freshman Thomas Tangle netted a season-high 17 points to lead Northwest, as the Rangers fell to 8-14 on the season and 4-6 in the MACCC. With the win, East Central moved to 13-12 overall and 4-5 in conference play.

East Central scored early and often during the first 10 minutes of the contest, leading Northwest 29-19 at the midway point of the first half. However, the Rangers began to cut into the Warriors' lead over the next few minutes, pulling within 32-28 with 6:42 remaining.

Northwest managed to tie the game at 34 apiece, only for the Warriors to close the first half on a 9-3 run, sending the Rangers to the locker room down 43-37.

Despite the added momentum from East Central, Northwest refused to back down and eventually tied the game once again at the 12:42 mark, as Keanu Patrick knocked down a jumper to make it 51-51. However, the Warriors did just enough to stay ahead of the Rangers over the course of the second half, pulling back ahead by five or more points the rest of the way.

Northwest shot 43 percent from the floor and 25 percent from three-point range, while East Central knocked down 47 percent of its shots. The Warriors also shot 45 percent from beyond the arc and 55 percent from the charity stripe, while the Rangers hit 13 of their 24 free throw attempts.

Tangle was one of three Northwest players in double figures, joining Patrick's 12 points and 14 points in an injury-shortened outing from Darren Davis. Jordan Ealey and DeShun Dunn combined to lead the Rangers with seven rebounds apiece, and the duo also combined for 15 points. Nolan Wells also added eight points, while Dunn also recorded nine assists. 

Five East Central players scored in double figures, led by 17 points from Feteh Bensalah and a 16-point, 13-rebound effort from DeAnthony Lewis. Connor Rogers added 14 points for the Warriors, followed by 12 from Amare Holmes and 10 from Daniel Zatsepin.

With the loss, Northwest now turns its attention to a pivotal conference matchup with Hinds, scheduled for Thursday, February 22. The Bulldogs (9-16, 4-5 MACCC) have lost two consecutive games inside the MACCC, including Tuesday's 78-72 decision against Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 P.M. from Howard Coliseum. Broadcast coverage will be available on Action News 5 Plus and Ranger TV.
  Read Full Article