SENATOBIA – Backed by double-doubles from sophomores Monique Biggins and Nikki McChristian, the Northwest women's basketball team tipped off the 2012-13 season with a 66-58 win over Southwest at Howard Coliseum on Thursday night. | Box Score

Northwest led from start to finish in moving to 1-0 and snapped a six-game losing streak to end the 2011-12 season. Southwest fell to 0-1 in its season debut as well.

Despite being outshot 44 to 34 percent in the opening half, the Lady Rangers led 37-24 at the break.

Northwest built its lead to as many as 19 with 6:47 remaining but had to survive a late 16-3 run from the Lady Bears that made it a two possession game with under a minute to play.

Bethany Lytle led three Lady Rangers in double figures with 16 points on 5-of-9 shooting, with Biggins going for 10 points and 10 rebounds and McChristian finishing with 10 points and 11 boards.

Northwest forced 28 Southwest mistakes (18 steals) on the night and turned that into a 38-12 advantage in points off turnovers. The teams each had 16 points off the bench.

Southwest was led by Fredrikah Wilson's game-high 18 points and 12 boards while April Levy added 10 and Milesha McNulty chipped in seven off the bench.

Northwest will return to Howard Coliseum on Tuesday when they play host to Mid-South (Ark.).

Watch live at ihigh.com/nwccrangers or follow live stats at www.sidearmstats.com/northwestms/wbball.