SENATOBIA – A massive run in the middle of the first quarter was the difference in a 106-86 win for the Northwest Mississippi Community College men's basketball team (17-11, 6-7) as they took down East Central Community College (6-21, 2-11) on sophomore night at Howard Coliseum on Thursday evening.
"The older guys stepped up and played really well," Head Coach John Redman. "I think we are getting better and better each time we play and the guys are jelling more and more. I'm really excited to see how this team is going to finish."
Northwest found themselves down 10-4 after two minutes of quick offense inside from the Warriors, but a switch flipped after a line change for the Rangers, and a 9-3 run would bring the game to a 13 all tie. And that was just the appetizer for the Northwest men.
A free throw from ECCC gave them what would be their last lead of the game at 14-13 and a Ranger run would take the game from a one point affair to a lead of 26 points when they went up 45-19 on a three from Tyler Henry that was part of an opening half that saw NWCC shoot 11-22 from deep and over 56 percent from the field on the way to a 67-42 lead at the half.
Bench scoring turned out to be a key in the run, with Northwest picking up 40 points in the opening 20 minutes from the reserves.
The second half was more of a manage the lead half than trying to extend it for the Rangers, balancing substitutions and working to just keep things at arm's length with the Warriors.
East Central's closest run came when they closed the gap to 17 points with eight minutes to go, but Northwest quickly responded and another three by Henry as well as a few points from Chancellor Terry and LaMarcus Crawford would pace a 6-0 run that would eliminate the gains by the Warriors.
Ladarrius Brown brought the Rangers over the century mark in the game with three minutes to go and the Rangers would pick up the convincing win 106-86 to keep their hopes of hosting an opening round game in the postseason alive.
Northwest picked up a double double from Crawford with ten points and ten rebounds. Gutierrez led the effort in scoring with a 21-point performance, adding three assists and three rebounds.
Three other Rangers had double figures with 19 points from Terry, 13 from Houston Cunningham, and 15 points from Demetrius Duffy who was one rebound shy of a double double.
The biggest number of the night might have been the 22 assists for the team, led by Josiah Nelson with six and another five from Tre Terrell.
"We want guys that share and serve each other. I say all the time, the more the ball moves, the more the scoreboard moves, and we had 22 assists tonight, and when we have or more assists, we are 13-1. When the ball moves, we don't lose."
Northwest finished the game shooting 35 percent from three and hand a 47.6 percent clip from the field.
The Rangers will be traveling to Mississippi Delta Community College on Monday for the final game of the regular season. A win would give the Rangers their first 18-win season since 2021-2022 and a chance to host their first playoff game since that same year.
Redman said he and the team know what the goal is and what it will take to earn one more game at home, and it's up to them to finish the job in the regular season.
"My mom who's played on the Tour a long time always said when she knew where the cut was going to be, she could just finish the round off. She knew what she had to do. I told the guys what's going on, and I want to be intentional about the process."
Opening tip of the contest is set for 7:30 pm.
You can follow along with more Ranger athletics at nwccrangers.com or by following Northwest social media accounts.
