MOORHEAD – Sophomore Kayla Freeman notched a career-high 20 points and nine rebounds as Northwest turned a three-point deficit into a 26-point fourth period output, defeating Dyersburg State 81-69 at Monday's MDCC Tournament opener.

Northwest held the Lady Eagles to 11 points over the final 10 minutes of action, improving to 6-2 overall with its fourth straight victory.

Turnovers frustrated both teams throughout the first half, with 29 combined between the two clubs by the time halftime arrived. 

Despite the sloppy play, the Lady Rangers managed to close the first period on a 7-0 run with jumpers from Zanaiyah Daniel, Claire Fleming and a three from Morgan Hodum, taking a 17-14 advantage.

Northwest continued its scoring success in the early goings of the second period, as Sarah Berryman's layup and one made it an eight point lead, 24-16. Behind a streak of baskets from Caroline Singleton and Sinetra Jones, however, the Lady Eagles quickly erased the Lady Rangers' momentum and regained a five-point lead with 2:26 to go until halftime.

Once again, momentum swung in the favor of Northwest to close out the first half, as the Lady Rangers used an 8-2 run to take a slim 36-35 lead at the break.

Both teams would spend the majority of the third period trading baskets and leads, the largest being a five-point advantage by Dyersburg State less than a minute into the second half.

Trailing 58-55 to open the fourth, Northwest would gain the ultimate momentum after foul trouble caught up to the Lady Eagles. Following Kira Lowery's jumper that made it 60-57, the Lady Rangers tore things open with a 15-2 run that lasted six and a half minutes, burying Dyersburg State into a 72-62 deficit.

Northwest officially put the game away by hitting the free throws needed down the stretch, including four from I'esha Mosby and three from Freeman.

Behind 17 points from Hodum and 13 from Daniel, the Lady Rangers yet again received a big boost from the reserves, scoring 51 points off the bench. Hodum was also lights out from beyond the arc for the second consecutive contest, shooting 86 percent (6-7) from three-point range.

Northwest also succeeded on fast breaks, outscoring Dyersburg State 24-12.

Lowery and Singleton paced the Lady Eagles with 21 points apiece, while Jones added six points and 10 rebounds in the loss.

Up next for the Lady Rangers will be another trip to Moorhead on Tuesday afternoon against Baton Rouge. Tipoff from MDCC is slated for 1 p.m. with live stats once again available through nwccrangers.com.