SENATOBIA – Behind a season-high 49 percent shooting from the floor and a near triple-double for sophomore forward Erica Turner, Northwest kept its postseason hopes alive by defeating East Mississippi 70-66 at Howard Coliseum on "Think Pink" night. 

Northwest earned a season split with the Lady Lions and improved to 8-9 overall and 2-6 in the north division. EMCC dropped to 5-13 overall and 2-6 in division action. The two teams currently sit in a three-way tie for fifth place in the division standings, with the top four teams from both the north and south qualifying for the state tournament.

Northwest scored the game's first eight points for an early 8-0 lead before Brianna May rattled home a 3-pointer for EMCC to get them on the scoreboard.

EMCC would rally to tie the game for the first time at 16-all with 11:39 to play in the half, getting buckets from four different Lady Lions. The rally would jump start a 20-6 run and give EMCC a 27-18 lead.

Northwest would pound the ball inside the remainder of the half and got to the charity stripe 12 times, turning what was a game-high, 11-point deficit into a 39-32 score at the break.

Making her first career start, freshman Jearica McBride had a big first half for Northwest, scoring 10 of her career-high 12 points on 4-of-6 shooting in the opening 20 minutes.

The Lady Rangers came out firing in the second half and retook the lead, 46-43, after a 14-4 run.

After exchanging baskets the ensuing 8 minutes, EMCC took its final lead of the game at 53-52.

Northwest then turned up the defensive pressure the rest of the way, smothering the Lady Lions with their full-court press and turning them over a total of 11 times in the final 7:38.

Northwest turned a total of 30 EMCC turnovers on the night into 34 points, using an 11-3 scoring run down the stretch. The Lady Rangers were held without a field goal the final 3:31, but managed to hit free throws when they had to for the victory.

Turner led three Lady Rangers in double figures, scoring 13 points to go along with eight assists, seven rebounds, five steals and four blocks in a superb effort. Tiesha Tunstall chipped in 13 points, McBride added 12 and Brittany Patton added nine points.

EMCC was led by Chadisty Hickman's 14 points, five assists and three steals.

Northwest will step out of conference play on Thursday, traveling to East Central (5-12) for a 6 p.m. tipoff in Decatur. Fans can follow live stats for Thursday's game by clicking here.