SENATOBIA - In one of the closest games of the season, Northwest fought and clawed back from a 15-point deficit to force a to-the-wire finish, only to fall 77-76 to Northeast on Thursday evening.

Four Rangers finished in double figures, led by an impressive 20-point effort from Nolan Wells, his new career-high. The loss dropped Northwest to 6-13 overall and 2-5 in the MACCC, while Northeast improved to 20-3 on the season and 5-2 in the conference.

Both teams traded baskets for the majority of the first half, but Northeast began to pull away over the final six minutes. After a Thomas Tangle layup brought Northwest within a point, the Tigers went on a 12-0 run, capped off by a three-pointer from Kam Carter, stretching the gap to 37-24.

A three-pointer from Caleb Parr made it a 15-point lead at the 3:26 mark of the half, but the Rangers managed to work the deficit under 10 points by halftime. With DeShun Dunn's successful three-pointer with 10 seconds remaining, Northwest went into the break with a smidge of momentum, trailing 42-33.

Although Northeast owned the final six minutes of the first half, it was the Rangers that came out swinging to open the second half. Ronnie Ellis' layup briefly helped send the Tigers' lead back to nine points, only to be followed by a pair of Dunn free throws and a layup from Devin Moore, which sliced the deficit to five. Jordan Ealey then followed with a three-pointer and Darren Davis' layup tied the contest at 44 apiece at the 16:36 mark.

Despite the surge from Northwest, Northeast managed to hang on to the lead, thanks in part to a quick three from Ellis. However, the Rangers remained within striking distance, eventually gaining the upper hand on three-pointer from Davis, pushing Northwest to a 54-52 edge at the 12:18 mark.

After Allen Hughes helped the Tigers quickly tie the game, Northwest responded with a made three from Wells, once again earning a 57-54 lead. The Rangers took their largest lead of five at the 10:08 mark, thanks to another three from Wells.

Unfortunately, the 63-58 lead wouldn't last long, as Northeast responded with three straight three-pointers to reclaim a 67-63 advantage with 8:09 left to go. 

Northwest remained close down the stretch, but the Rangers were unable to ever regain the lead. Trailing by seven at the 3:44 mark, Northwest responded with back-to-back baskets from Davis, cutting the deficit to 74-71 with 2:27 remaining.

Neither team scored for the next minute and a half, but Hughes gave Northeast a little more security with his layup at the 53-second mark. Dunn hit a pair of free throws to pull the Rangers back within three, but a successful free throw by Parr gave the Tigers a four-point lead with eight seconds left.

Needing a three-pointer on the other end, Ealey's attempt came up short with three seconds left. The Rangers wound up with possession and Wells promptly drilled a three on the inbound pass, but there was no time left to force a quick foul or turnover.

Northwest shot 49 percent from the floor and both teams shot 36 percent from beyond the arc. The Tigers finished 44 percent on the evening and out-muscled the Rangers in the paint, 40-26. Northeast also outscored Northwest, 21-2, in points off turnovers. 

Aside from Wells' strong performance, Davis collected 15 points and four rebounds, followed by Dunn's 14-point effort. Dunn also collected eight assists and five rebounds, while Ealey racked up 12 points and seven rebounds.

All five of the Northeast starters finished in double figures, highlighted by Hughes' 15-point performance. Tyler Byrd added 14 points and a team-best seven rebounds, while Ellis collected 12 points. Parr and Josh Holman accounted for 10 points apiece, while also combining for 12 rebounds. 

Northwest will now turn its attention to Monday, February 12, when the Rangers visit Pearl River. The Wildcats (18-3, 5-1 MACCC) are coming off a 64-58 loss at Mississippi Gulf Coast, the team's first conference loss.

Tipoff is slated for 7:30 P.M. in Poplarville.  Read Full Article