Southwest entered Thursday's contest at No. 7 Northwest well-rested after last week's bye.
But even though the Bears showed some flashes of strong play, they were unable to get the consistency they needed in the end, falling to the host Rangers 33-13.
"We have to do a better job as coaches, we have to get healthy and we have to execute better at the end of the day," Southwest head coach Les George said. "In this league, especially when you are playing another good team like ourselves, mistakes cost you. It doesn't matter if it is a little mistake or a big mistake, they'll cost you."
The Bears (2-4) and the Rangers spent much of the first quarter jockeying for position as both defenses got the better of the opposing offenses.
Late in the quarter, it was the Rangers who broke the tie. Northwest jumped on top 7-0 following a 24-yard touchdown pass.
The Bears found success on the ensuing drive, moving the ball down to the Ranger 35-yard line, but a fourth-down pass fell short to put a stop to a promising drive.
With 4:05 to go until halftime, Northwest struck again with a 62-yard touchdown pass to make it a 14-0 game.
Following a Bear drive that stalled, the Rangers scored on another 62-yard touchdown pass with 1:42 to go, putting Southwest behind the 8-ball.
Despite this, the Bears continued to fight, and their hard work paid off on the ensuing drive. Silas Corder connected with Keena Galloway on a 55-yard touchdown pass, and Sergio Neyra added the PAT to put the Bears back in the contest, trailing 21-7.
The momentum built by the Bears at the end of the half did not carry over into the second, however. Northwest added to its lead with an 11-yard touchdown pass on the opening drive to make it a 28-7 game.
Southwest did answer on the next possession as Corder led a 9-play, 26-yard drive that wrapped with a 50-yard field goal from Neyra, a new season-high for the freshman that pulled the Bears closer at 28-10 with 8:26 to go in the third quarter.
After a successful stop for the Southwest defense, a Northwest punt was downed at the Bear 1-yard line and on the following play, the Rangers recorded a safety to put the visitors down 30-10.
Neyra added his third make of the night early in the fourth quarter, this time from 45 yards out, cutting the Ranger lead down to 17 at 30-13.
Later in the quarter, Northwest answered with a field goal of its own to make the score the eventual final.
Corder finished 12-of-16 for 163 yards and a touchdown. Jac Comeaux led the pass catchers with seven receptions for 91 yards. Galloway had four for 64 and a touchdown.
Andrew Washburn had easily his best game as a Bear, finishing tied for a team-high nine tackles to go along with one sack, three tackles for loss, a pass break-up and a quarterback hurry. Jordan Magee also finished with nine tackles including a tackle for loss.
The Bears will be back in action Thursday at Hinds. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Tune into BearTV as the game will be broadcast live from Raymond.
