BOONEVILLE – Despite a career-high 21 points off the bench from
Tiesha Tunstall – all in the second half – and a furious second half run, Northwest could not overcome a 14-point halftime deficit in falling at Northeast Thursday night, 67-59.
Northeast swept the season series with the win, pushing its season mark to 8-10 overall and 4-3 in the north. Northwest fell to 7-9 overall and 1-6 in division play.
The Lady Tigers pulled away from a three point lead at the 6:16-mark, closing the half on a 15-4 run to take a comfortable 30-16 lead at the break.
Northwest couldn't get inside double figures the opening 10:43 of the second half until Tunstall's two free throws pulled the Lady Rangers within nine at 41-32.
Trailing again by double figures, 47-34 with 7:28 to play, five 3-pointers over a 4-minute span for Northwest pulled the Lady Rangers within a single point at 54-53 with 3:32 remaining. Tunstall hit four 3s and Sherneal Thompson knocked in one, sparking a 19-7 run to make it a tight ballgame.
Anna Brooke Page's two free throws pushed the lead back out to three a possession later, and the lead quickly ballooned again to 11 after a 10-0 run for the home team.
Shaquilla Isom and Tunstall each rattled in 3s the final 30 seconds, but it was too little, too late.
Northeast hit 9-of-10 free throws down the stretch to preserve the 67-59 win, a fourth consecutive over Northwest dating back to the 2010-11 season.
Behind Tunstall's 21 points, Thompson poured in a career-high 17 points and Erica Turner added nine points, 12 rebounds and five steals. Northeast was paced by Amber Jackson's 18 points, 13 from Kebrina Lucas and 12 from Page.
Northeast outshot Northwest 43 to 32 percent on the night and dominated the glass with a 50-34 edge.
Northwest will return home Monday night for its "Think Pink" game as part of breast cancer awareness, playing host to East Mississippi (5-12, 2-5). Fans are encouraged to wear pink, with tipoff set for 5 p.m.
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