WEST MEMPHIS, AR – The opening game of the season was a good one for the Northwest Mississippi Community College, taking down National Park College 106-90 in a fast paced game for their first win of the season and the first win in the coaching career of John Redman.

"It was a great night to be a Ranger," Redman said. "The guys played their butts off. I thought we got some great play from multiple guys. Our veterans stepped up and many of the freshman who were playing in their first college game played like seasoned vets. Our effort, attitude, and togetherness made the difference tonight against a well-coached National Park team."

Northwest found themselves in a hole early, down 13-7, but a timeout by Redman helped to settle the team down and they would churn out a 10-0 run to take their first lead of the game, eventually finding themselves up 26-21.

The rest of the first half took a very back and forth feel to it, with seven lead changes on the way to a 48-45 lead at the break for the Rangers thanks to a late three to take momentum into the locker room.

Early in the second half, Northwest kept a few surges from the Nighthawks but were able to get a bit of separation on a 7-0 run that extended the lead to 67-60 only to watch NPC fight back to tie the game again at 80.

The Rangers took control and kept it after that, going on a 9-0 burst to take the lead for good as their high-pressure defense put the Nighthawks off balance, and they would only manage ten more points from there for the remainder of the game.

Northwest on the other had kept up the pressure, passing the century mark with just over a minute to go and cruising the rest of the way to a 106-90 win to kick off the year.

Dakota Morris led the way for Northwest in scoring with a 20-point night on 9-17 shooting, adding six rebounds and two steals. Zahir Gutierrez added 16 points off the bench with four made threes and both Demetrius Duffy (12) and Grant Hutton (11) finished with double figures. Duffy finished with a double-double, adding eleven rebounds including seven offensive boards.

Northwest was very impressive in their aggressiveness going on the offensive glass with 30 offensive rebounds in the game.

 The Rangers showed their ability to move the ball around, picking up 17 assists in the game with Peyton Lindley leading the way with six. They also picked up 17 steals in the game, however some of that was offset by 24 turnovers in the game, although the majority of those were in the first half and they cleaned up ball control in the second half.

There isn't much time to rest for the Rangers who go right back into the action with a game against Arkansas State University Mid-South on Saturday. Opening tip of that game is scheduled for 3:00 pm. Streaming information and more can be found at nwccrangers.com.

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