SENATOBIA – Alexandria Williams hit a layup with 0.7 seconds left to force overtime and the visiting Coahoma Lady Tigers led for the entire extra period in earning a series split with an 80-78 road win at Northwest Monday night. | Box Score

Coahoma punched its ticket into the state tournament by improving to 12-10 overall and 5-6 in the north. Northwest dropped to 8-13 overall and 2-9 in the north, closing its home slate just 3-7 on the season.

It was a tale of two halves, and one owned by Northwest the final 20 minutes.

Coahoma led for all but 1:08 in the opening half, taking its first lead on ShyVuna Johnson's 3-pointer and leading by as many as eight, 24-16 with 8:15 left in the half. They led 34-33 at the break.

Northwest opened the second half on an 11-0 run, using five quick points from Jearica McBride and taking its largest lead, 44-34, with 17:49 left in regulation.

Coahoma rallied with a 14-3 run later in the half to take its only lead, 60-59, with 5:52 remaining.

Sherneal Thompson's slashing layup put the Lady Rangers back ahead the ensuing possession, and they would lead down to the final seconds.

Trailing 71-66 with 55 seconds left, Coahoma scored five-straight points, including going the length of the floor with 5.7 seconds left to force overtime.

In the extra frame, Williams, the hero that sent the game into overtime, scored the opening bucket and the Lady Tigers never trailed in holding on for an 80-78 overtime win.

Three different Lady Tigers posted double-doubles on the night, led by Erica Collins' 23 points and 14 boards, Monique-Dayana McGee's 23 points and 10 rebounds and Williams' 10 points and 13 boards.

Northwest was paced by a team-high 20 points from Tiesha Tunstall on 8-of-17 shooting, 16 points from McBride, 10 from Queena Booker and 14 rebounds from Erica Turner.

Coahoma outrebounded Northwest 59-45 and shot 41 percent to the Lady Rangers' 38 percent.

Northwest closes out the 2011-12 season at Mississippi Delta (8-13, 3-8 north) on Thursday at 6 p.m.