SENATOBIA – Janesha Johnson scored 13 of her career-high 29 points during two overtime periods as Northwest outlasted ASU Mid-South 88-85 for a season-opening win.

Northwest had to rally from 13 down with 4:35 left in the third quarter and did so behind a 14-4 run to open the fourth quarter.

Johnson and Averyale Joy combined to score 14 straight points in the fourth quarter and the Lady Rangers used back-to-back 3-pointers from Shelbi Buford to take their first lead since the 5:04-mark of the second quarter.

ASU Mid-South scored the final four points in regulation to force the game into overtime tied at 70 apiece. 

Northwest used three straight 3-pointers from Johnson to quickly take an 81-73 lead in the first overtime with 2:44 left but the Lady Greyhounds outscored Northwest 10-2 the final 2:17 to force a second overtime.

Leading by four with six seconds left, Samantha Jackson's layup made it a one possession game before a steal and layup by Haley Morgan on the ensuing inbounds play allowed ASU Mid-South to tie the game at 83-83 with 2.6 seconds left.

Northwest called timeout and advanced the ball to mid-court and had the perfect play call for the potential game-winner. With Shelbi Buford inbounding the ball in front of the Lady Ranger bench, Deja Faulkner was wide open underneath for the pass but the ball surprisingly found its way into the hoop on the throw in and gave possession back to ASU Mid-South who missed a 3-pointer to win it.

Northwest missed all six field goal attempts in the second overtime and ASU Mid-South was just 1-for-3.

Trailing by one, Buford hit a pair of free throws with 31 seconds remaining and Johnson hit two with seven seconds left to allow the Lady Rangers to hold on for a thrilling 88-85 season-opening win.

Behind Johnson's career-high 29, Joy fell a rebound and assist shy of a triple-double, finishing with 21 points, nine rebounds and nine assists. Buford and Destiny Gardner added 10 apiece, while Faulkner had a game-high 12 boards. 

Samantha Jackson had a team-high 21 for ASU Mid-South, followed by 20 from Sable Greer and 13 from Rachel Gramling. 

Northwest will continue a three-game homestand tomorrow night at 5 p.m. against Lawson State.