SENATOBIA – Averayale Joy scored a game-high 20 points and Northwest shot 52 percent as they led from start to finish in a 92-77 victory over Lawson State Tuesday night at Howard Coliseum.

Northwest improved to 2-0 on the young season with a fifth straight home win, while Lawson State moved to 2-2. 

Deja Faulkner's layup at the 9:34-mark of the opening quarter gave Northwest the only lead it would need all night. The Lady Rangers opened up an early 15-5 lead, starting a sizzling 7-for-10 from the floor off baskets from six different players.

Lawson State closed the period on a 9-1 run, however, to pull within 24-21 after one quarter.

Northwest continued a balanced attack the final three quarters, building its lead to double figures for much of the fourth. The Lady Rangers shot 54 percent the second half and held Lawson State to just 33 percent. 

Eleven different Lady Rangers scored on the evening, paced by Joy's fourth career 20-point game, 15 from Janesha Johnson and 13 off the bench from Chrissah Shaw.

Sakina Wynn scored a team-high 15 for the Lady Cougars, followed by 12 apiece from Nyla Pressley and Tyler Fredericks.

Northwest will close out a three-game homestand on Monday, Nov. 14 at 5 p.m. against Arkansas Baptist.