FULTON – Trailing by 21 early in the second half, Northwest put together a huge rally to tie the game with 46 seconds left, but couldn't complete the incredible comeback in falling just short, 80-77, at Itawamba Monday night. 

Itawamba extended its season-long winning streak to 12 games in improving to 17-2 overall and 8-0 in the north division while Northwest dropped its second in a row to fall to 15-4 overall and 5-3 in division play. It also marked the Lady Rangers' first road loss this season (6-1).

Northwest scored the game's first four points and held a small lead in the opening 4 minutes of the game.

Itawamba pushed ahead 22-19 after four consecutive free throws from Ricki Hooker at the 8:11-mark before a 14-2 Lady Indian run to close the half gave the hosts a 46-27 lead at the break. 

The team's exchanged seven leads in the opening 20 minutes, with ICC shooting 39 percent from the floor against 33 percent for Northwest. 

Trailing 48-27, the Lady Rangers turned up the defensive pressure and opened the second half on fire. Bethany Lytle's bucket in the paint jumpstarted an 18-4 run for Northwest that was capped by a pair of Hayley Davis 3-pointers. Aspriona Gilbert scored seven of her team-high 23 during the run, and Northwest was within 56-51 with 12:38 to play. 

ICC was able to stretch its lead back out to 68-55 minutes later, but once again, Northwest battled back and rallied to tie the game at 77-77 with 46 ticks left after Gilbert's layup and ensuing free throw.

Jayla Chills, who finished with a game-high 28, took over down the stretch for ICC, hitting a pair of go ahead free throws with 25 seconds remaining to put the Lady Indians up 79-77. Alontra Tucker then hit the second of two free throws to make it a three point lead with 11 seconds left.

After several timeouts and just 4 seconds remaining, Kelsey Brown's last-second heave at the buzzer was long and ICC was able to escape despite squandering a 21-point second half lead.

Northwest shot a sizzling 62 percent in the second half to finish at 48 percent while ICC shot just 38 percent. The difference in the game was 28 Lady Indian points off 21 Lady Ranger turnovers.

Gilbert posted her fifth straight double-double and eighth of the season with 23 points and 10 rebounds, followed by B. Lytle with 17 points and seven assists, 13 from S. Lytle and eight apiece from Davis and Tekevanna Young.

Chills led four Lady Indians in double figures with 28, followed by Hooker with 11 and both Lanikki McMillian and Jeronia Allen with 10 apiece.

Northwest will try and bounce back on Thursday at Northeast. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m. from Bonner Arnold Coliseum.