ELLISVILLE - A half-court buzzer beater to end the opening period sparked a 20-9 scoring run for Jones College in the second quarter, as Northwest fell to the ninth-ranked Lady Bobcats on Thursday evening.

Northwest fell to 7-5 on the season and 1-2 in conference play, while Jones College improved to 8-2 and 3-0 overall.

Down to only eight healthy players for the contest, Northwest battled early against a stout Lady Bobcats' squad and remained within striking distance for most of the first period. However, the 40-foot buzzer-beater from Meloney Thames turned a five-point margin into a 19-11 lead entering the second.

That shot set off a 20-point stretch for Jones College in the second quarter, helping the Lady Bobcats to a 39-20 advantage at halftime. Northwest was simply outmatched, being held to just 16 points throughout the second half and a 13-of-51 shooting night to finish 26 percent from the floor.

Northwest did not make a three-point shot in 13 attempts, but did finish 10-for-12 from the free throw line. Jones College outrebounded Northwest, 41-38, and forced 25 turnovers, while outscoring Northwest 29-2 in fastbreak points.
 
Sophomore Kolten Blakeney finished with 10 points and 12 rebounds, earning her eighth career double-double. The Taylorsville native also had all four of the Lady Rangers' blocked shots.

Tierra Trotter led the Lady Rangers in scoring, finishing with 11 points for her ninth consecutive game in double figures. For her career, Trotter has 21 games with 10 or more points scored. Freshman Cailey Walker also scored eight of the Lady Rangers' nine points off the bench.

Jones College was led by 22 points from Thames, while Sakyia White finished with a double-double (10 points, 10 rebounds). Jordan Clark also added 13 points, while Mackenzie Thomas contributed eight points.

Northwest will have a chance to regroup on Monday, January 10 with a home conference contest against Mississippi Delta. The Lady Rangers and Lady Trojans met once earlier this season in Moorhead, where Northwest captured a 92-85 overtime victory in a November 18 non-conference battle. The Lady Rangers lead the all-time series against Mississippi Delta, 64-25. 

Tipoff between Northwest and Mississippi Delta is set for 6 P.M. from Howard Coliseum. Tickets are available online at nwccrangers.com/tickets and the game will also be carried on Ranger TV (nwccrangers.com/watch) and Facebook Live.