FULTON – Despite a game and career-high 21 points from freshman
Tiesha Tunstall and fellow frosh
Monique Biggins' ninth double-double of the year, Northwest couldn't overcome a nine-point halftime deficit in falling on the road to Itawamba Thursday night, 70-58, at Davis Event Center.
Itawamba, receiving votes in the latest NJCAA Top 20 Poll, improved to 12-2 overall and 3-0 in the north while Northwest dropped its fifth-consecutive game in evening its record to 6-6 overall and 0-3 in the north.
In a game of runs the opening 20 minutes, Itawamba darted out to an early 7-0 lead and forced a Northwest timeout, only to see the Lady Rangers respond with a 10-2 run to take their first lead of the night.
The Lady Indians countered right back the ensuing 4:43, putting together a 15-1 run of their own to take a comfortable 24-11 lead. Itawamba dominated the offensive glass during the stretch, pulling down seven offensive rebounds that led to easy second chance points.
Tunstall then began to heat up for Northwest the final 8 minutes of the first half, knocking down a pair of 3-pointers and scoring 13 of her 15 first half points as part of a 14-4 spurt that pulled the Lady Rangers within three at 28-25.
An 8-2 run for Itawamba on four consecutive layups gave the home team a 36-27 lead at the break.
Seven unanswered points for Itawamba to open the second half stretched its lead out to 43-27, and the Lady Indians would cruise to the victory from there as they allowed Northwest within single digits just once the final 18:23.
Behind Tunstall's 21 points on 8-of-12 shooting, Biggins had 12 points and 10 rebounds for her fifth consecutive double-double. Shaquilla Isom added seven points and a team-high six assists.
Itawamba was led by three scorers in double figures, paced by Vechatita Bonner's 18 points, Jameika Hoskins' 16 and 10 from Jasmine Hampton. LaPrecious Naylon, on an off shooting night, pumped in a game-high 10 assists.
Northwest will return to Howard Coliseum on Monday night, playing host to Holmes (10-2, 4-0 north). Live stats (follow here) and live streaming video (watch here) will be available for fans.
