SUMMIT – The Northwest women's basketball team bounced back from its first loss of the season Monday night with a 65-57 win over host Southwest in the annual Coca-Cola Classic, earning a season sweep over the Lady Bears.

With the win, Northwest improved to 4-1 overall and tied its best start since the 2003-04 season, while Southwest dropped to 2-4 overall.

Despite shooting just 31 percent and being held to their second lowest point total of the year, the Lady Rangers made up for their poor shooting by dominating the glass all night long and playing solid defense. Northwest owned a 59-46 edge (27 offensive rebounds) on the boards and forced 24 Southwest turnovers that led to 20 points.

Led by eight points off the bench from sophomore Brittani Smith in the first half, Northwest opened the game on a 12-0 run and took a 30-24 lead into halftime.

The Lady Rangers built their lead to as many as 18 with 9:19 to play, 57-39, and held off a late rally from Southwest over the final 3 minutes to pick up their fourth win of the year.

Freshmen Monique Biggins and Shaquilla Isom paced Northwest with 15 points apiece, while Biggins added 12 points for her team-leading third double-double of the year. Sophomore Erica Turner added nine points, five blocks and a game-high 13 rebounds.

Northwest will close out the Coca-Cola Classic tomorrow at 1 p.m. against Copiah-Lincoln, looking for revenge after the Lady Wolves dealt the Lady Rangers their first loss four days ago, 72-58 in Wesson.

Live stats available here: www.sidearmstats.com/northwestms/wbball/index.htm