BOONEVILLE – Northwest rallied from a 13-point first half deficit and had four Lady Rangers finish in double figures en route to an 82-68 win at Northeast on Thursday night at Bonner Arnold Coliseum.
Northwest (16-4, 6-3 north) bounced back from its first two-game losing streak of the season, while Northeast evened its record to 10-10 overall and 4-5 in the division.
After a quick lead change in the first 3 minutes of play, Northeast was able to grab control at the 9:01-mark and take its largest lead of the game, 27-14, after a jumper by Alivia Hughes.
Northwest responded with an 11-2 run to pull within 31-27, capped by Aspriona Gilbert's layup in the paint with 4:21 left in the half. The Lady Rangers were able to keep it within two or three the ensuing 2 minutes after a fastbreak layup by
Tekevanna Young.
Northeast maintained a small lead, however, and entered the half leading 41-35.
Northwest has been a second half team for the past several weeks, and it showed again Thursday as they outscored the Lady Tigers 47-27 the final 20 minutes.
The Lady Rangers opened the half with an 11-2 run, ending with
Kristina Mays' layup at 15:29, to tip the scale in the Lady Rangers favor 45-43.
The Lady Tigers snuck back ahead one final time before Gilbert's three-point play at the 14:27-mark put Northwest ahead for good.
Bethany Lytle scored 12 of her 14 in the second half and helped the Lady Rangers close on a 9-4 run to make the final margin 82-68.
Northwest outshot Northeast 50 to 45 percent on the night. The Lady Rangers found their stride off a 23-11 edge in second chance points and 54-32 points in the paint.
Gilbert, the reigning MACJC Player of the Week, scored her 10th double-double of the season and sixth straight with a game-high of 27 points and 14 rebounds on 10-of-11 shooting. Mays scored 14 points, B. Lytle had 14 points and seven assists and Young added 13.
Four Lady Tigers scored in double figures, led by Dashiyah Agnew's 18. Hughes followed with 14 points, LaKeiya Lane added 11 and Jasmine Allen contributed 10.
Northwest returns to action on Monday, Feb. 9 as they host Mississippi Delta at Howard Coliseum. Tipoff is set for 5 p.m.
