SENATOBIA – The Northwest women's basketball team opened their 2011-12 season in style on Tuesday night at Howard Coliseum, opening up a 13-point halftime lead and never looking back in an 88-73 win over Southwest Mississippi.

Northwest overcame a stellar 30-point effort from Southwest's Shaniece Sheffield on the night, with all five Lady Rangers scoring in double figures, paced by 18 from freshman Bridgette Griffin on 6-of-14 shooting and 14 apiece from freshmen Monique Biggins and Shaquilla Isom.

Northwest closed the first half on a 24-8 run after trailing by three with 4:26 left in the period, hitting six of its final nine shots, capped by a 3-pointer by Shermeka Lewis just before the halftime buzzer for a 53-40 lead.

Back-to-back buckets from Sheffield to open the second half quickly cut the lead within single digits before three consecutive layups from Erica Turner, Biggins and Griffin stretched the lead back out. Isom's bucket at the 14:42 mark pushed the lead to a game-high 21 points, 67-46.

Northwest closed the game holding Southwest without a field goal the final 4:15, securing a 15-point win.

Ten Lady Rangers in all got on the scoreboard on the night, with the bench contributing 20 points.

Northwest finished at 42 percent shooting for the game, while Southwest shot 44 percent.

Turner and Sherneal Thompson each chipped in 11 points on the night, with Turner picking up four blocks.

Northwest will be back in action next Tuesday night, Nov. 8, when Mid-South comes to town for a 5 p.m. tip.