SENATOBIA – The 25th-ranked Northwest Lady Rangers rallied from a 13-point third quarter deficit on Thursday night to knock off Holmes, 84-82, in the north division-opener for both teams. 

Northwest improved to 7-0 overall and 1-0 in the division, its best start since the 1993-94 season. Holmes dropped to 5-3 overall and 0-1.

The Lady Rangers led just once in the first three quarters, with Kelsey Brown scoring the opening basket of the game.

Holmes led by seven after one and 45-35 at the half.

Northwest strung together a 12-3 run to pull within 48-47 midway through the third, but the Lady Bulldogs responded with a 17-5 run to stretch the lead back out to 13 points.

Northwest scored the first 10 points of the fourth quarter, jumpstarted by Averyale Joy's 3-pointer. Janesha Johnson scored three of her career-high 24 points (tied career-high) and Destiny Gardner added four during the run.

Holmes pushed back ahead 73-69 after four straight points from Tiffany Jones before five straight from Northwest gave them back the lead at 74-73.

Johnson's 3-pointer and two clutch free throws with 58 ticks left made it 83-79 Northwest before an Aja Williams 3-pointer cut it to a one-point game with 40 seconds left. 

Gardner hit the back end of a 1-and-1 to make it 84-82 and Holmes missed a last second attempt to tie or force overtime.

In addition to Johnson's 24 points, Joy added 17 points and eight assists, Brianna Williams added 14 and Sara Lytle pumped in her fifth career double-double with 11 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks.

Holmes had five scorers in double figures, led by 19 from Williams. 

Holmes out-shot Northwest 43-40 percent and pulled down 13 more rebounds. 

Northwest will return to action next Tuesday, Dec. 8 at 6 p.m., traveling to Fulton for a showdown at Itawamba (7-2, 1-0).