WESSON – Despite four players in double figures for the second time this season, including a double-double from freshman Monique Biggins, Northwest dropped its first game of the season Thursday night at Copiah-Lincoln, 72-58. 

A week removed from being ranked No. 9 in the country, Copiah-Lincoln improved to 3-1 overall. Northwest fell to 3-1 and had a four-game winning streak dating back to last season snapped.

The Lady Rangers gave the host Lady Wolves all they could handle in the first half, leading by as many as seven, 19-12, with 9:12 remaining.

An 18-6 run for Copiah-Lincoln the ensuing 6:55 pushed the home team back in front by five and gave the Lady Wolves a 35-27 lead at intermission.

Northwest closed the half shooting 39 percent (12 of 31), led by eight points from Biggins.

Back-to-back buckets from Biggins and Bridgette Griffin, followed by an Erica Turner 3-pointer closed the gap to 35-34 with 17:15 left in the game, but Northwest would get no closer the rest of the way as Copiah-Lincoln maintained a 5-7 point lead and held on for the win.

Copiah-Lincoln won the battle on the boards, 48-34, and outscored the Northwest bench 21-8. The Lady Rangers were also held without a field goal the final 5:47.

Keosha Bradley led all scorers with 19 points for Copiah-Lincoln, followed by 13 from Jasmine James. Griffin had a team-high 16 points for Northwest, followed by 13 from Biggins, 11 points and four blocks from Turner and 10 points from Shaquilla Isom.

Northwest will continue a five-game road swing on Monday, traveling to Summit for the annual Coca-Cola Classic. The Lady Rangers will play host Southwest at 5 p.m. Monday, followed by a 1 p.m. tipoff against Copiah-Lincoln on Tuesday.

Live stats will be available for both games here: www.sidearmstats.com/northwestms/wbball/index.htm