Northwest basketball hits postseason 

Photo: Ladarius Brown drives to the hoop for a layup against Mississippi Delta on his way to 20 points in a 116-102 win for NWCC on Monday night in Moorhead. (Caleb Burggraf/nwccrangers.com)

Key Points

• Northwest Mississippi Community College men’s basketball secured its first home postseason berth since 2018 with a 116-102 victory over Mississippi Delta.
• The Lady Rangers reached the 20-win milestone for the first time in nearly three decades, clinching a top-four seed and a first-round bye.
• High-scoring performances led both squads, with Chancellor Terry netting 21 for the men and Dekyra Mitchell dropping 27 for the women.

Rangers Secure First Home Postseason Berth Since 2018

MOORHEAD – In a high-octane display of offensive efficiency, the Northwest Mississippi Community College Rangers (18-11, 11-5) dismantled Mississippi Delta 116-102 on Monday, clinching their first home playoff game in eight years.

Under first-year head coach John Redman, the Rangers overcame early adversity to lock in the number eight seed for the Region 23 tournament. “We just found a way with everyone stepping up,” Redman said. “Our guys compete and don’t care what the score is.”

A scorched-earth start from beyond the arc defined the first half. Ladarius Brown ignited an 11-0 run with three consecutive triples, helping the Rangers to a 60-49 halftime cushion. Despite a second-half surge by the Trojans that cut the lead to five, Northwest responded with a clinical 16-1 run to put the game out of reach.

The Rangers showcased elite marksmanship, hitting 83 percent of their free throws and 13 three-pointers. Chancellor Terry led the charge with 21 points off the bench, while Brown and Houston Cunningham added 20 apiece. Demetrius Duffy anchored the interior with a 16-point, 10-rebound double-double.

Northwest returns to Howard Coliseum Thursday at 6:00 P.M. to face Southern University – Shreveport.

Lady Rangers Hit 20-Win Mark, Clinch First-Round Bye

MOORHEAD – The Northwest Mississippi Community College Lady Rangers (20-8, 11-3) made history Monday night, defeating Mississippi Delta 78-60 to secure the program’s first 20-win season since the 1997-98 campaign.

The victory ensures the Lady Rangers a top-four seed and a coveted first-round bye in the upcoming Region 23 playoffs. After a competitive opening frame, Northwest broke the game open with a 28-point second quarter, fueled by a defensive identity that forced 26 Trojan turnovers.

“It was just free basketball tonight,” said Alorian Story, who dominated the glass with 15 rebounds and 24 points. “Coming out, we knew we could get whatever we wanted on offense.”

Dekyra Mitchell provided the perimeter fireworks, scoring a game-high 27 points while shooting 55 percent from three-point range. The duo of Mitchell and Story accounted for 65 percent of the team’s total scoring.

Defensively, the Lady Rangers were relentless, out-rebounding the Trojans by 14 and recording 12 steals. The win cements Northwest as a legitimate contender as they prepare to host a postseason matchup this Saturday at Howard Coliseum.