Box Score HENDERSON, Tenn. - It didn't come easy, but coach LaTaryl Williams returned from Tennessee a winner in his first game as the head coach of the Northwest Lady Rangers.

Williams' team battled to a 59-54 victory on the road at Freed-Hardeman JV, holding off a late rally from the Lady Lions on their home court. The win gave Northwest a 1-0 start to the season.

Both teams fought to a 14-14 tie at the end of the first period, but the Lady Rangers gained an edge at the break, outscoring Freed-Hardeman JV 15-10 over the course of the second period. The effort allowed Northwest to take a 29-24 halftime advantage.

Northwest held on to its lead for most of the second half and led 48-41 entering the final quarter of regulation. However, the Lady Lions stormed back midway through the fourth, slicing the Lady Rangers' lead to just two, 52-50.

Despite the comeback effort from Freed-Hardeman JV, foul trouble caught up to the Lady Lions down the stretch, which sent Northwest to the free throw line as part of the double bonus. The Lady Rangers were outscored 13-11 over the final 10 minutes of the contest, but Northwest finished the game with a 7-4 edge to hang on for the win.

Northwest shot 39 percent from the floor, but went from 58 percent shooting in the third quarter to just 25 percent in the fourth. The Lady Rangers were also 29 percent from beyond the arc and 72 percent from the charity stripe, compared to a 32 percent shooting effort from Freed-Hardeman JV and a 67 percent effort from the free throw line.

Northwest also out-rebounded the Lady Lions 43-34, but both teams combined for 29 turnovers on the evening.

Perhaps the most impressive debut for the Lady Rangers came from freshman forward Marian Jenkins. The Madison native and former Germantown High School product collected her first career double-double, earning 15 points and 15 rebounds to end the evening as the only Northwest player in double figures.

Kennidi Dean and Taylor Caldwell provided six points apiece for Northwest, with Lily Whitley also providing eight points off the bench. 

Freed-Hardeman JV was paced by a 15-point effort from A.C. Whitehead and a 13-point performance from Erin Norman. Morgan Quick also added 12 points for the Lady Lions.

Northwest will open the home portion of its schedule on Thursday, November 3 against Dyersburg State at 5:30 P.M. Coverage of the game can be seen on Ranger TV (nwccrangers.com/watch) or Facebook Live.