SCOOBA - A 15-4 run over the final five minutes of the first half helped set off momentum in favor of East Mississippi, as Northwest dropped an 80-53 loss to the Lions on Thursday night.
Northwest was held to just 27 percent from the floor, finishing 16-for-60, while EMCC shot 49 percent on the evening. The Rangers shot 24 percent from beyond the arc and 71 percent from the free throw line, compared to 50 percent from three-point range and 48 percent in free throws from the Lions.Â
Although it was a close game for most of the first half, East Mississippi led for a majority of the contest. Trailing 24-20 with five minutes remaining, Northwest fell victim to a 15-4 run and went into the locker room down 35-24.
However, the stretch of momentum from the Lions did not stop there. EMCC came out of halftime hitting two more baskets before a three-pointer from the Rangers broke up the 19-4 run with 16:32 left to go.
Northwest did its best to stay alive in the contest, but the Lions outscored the Rangers 45-29 over the span of the second half.
Shavurdacour Nicholas led Northwest with 14 points and nine rebounds, followed by eight points and eight rebounds off the bench from
Darrian Johnson. The Rangers also got seven points from
Colain Brown and six from
Caleb Hunt.
Four East Mississippi players finished in double figures, led by 31 points from DeAndre Lewis. Israel Griffin led the Lions with nine rebounds, while Jonathan Baker provided 17 points off the bench.
Yamari Allette and Josh Brown also contributed 11 and 10 points for EMCC, respectively.
With the loss, Northwest fell to 6-7 overall and 1-1 in the MACCC. The Lions moved to 7-10 on the season and 1-1 in conference play. The Rangers still lead the all-time series against East Mississippi, 80-54.
Northwest returns home to face Holmes on Tuesday, January 21 at 7:30 P.M. The Rangers lead the all-time series 82-52, despite an 86-74 loss to the Bulldogs in non-conference action on November 7.
