SENATOBIA - For three quarters, Northwest seemed in control of its Thursday evening matchup against Northeast. However, the Lady Tigers got the last laugh with a 25-10 scoring run in the fourth period, as the visiting team came away with the 70-65 victory.
Aside from an early 10-10 tie midway through the first period, Northwest led for the entire first half. The Lady Rangers led 23-14 entering the second quarter and took a six-point advantage into halftime, thanks to
Taylor Caldwell's buzzer-beater from half court.
Midway through the third period, Northwest took its largest lead of 11 points, and the Lady Rangers led by seven points or more throughout the quarter.
Lily Whitley provided another shot for the Lady Rangers at the buzzer and hit her bonus free throw after drawing the foul, helping Northwest to a 55-45 lead.
Neither team scored through the first two minutes of the fourth quarter, but Northeast began to find its momentum after a Hannah Campbell free throw and Madison Gardner's layup. The Lady Tigers continued to chip away at the deficit and back-to-back three-pointers by Madison Bennett gave Northeast a two-point lead with 2:35 to go.
Although Pilcher tied the game back with a layup on the Lady Rangers' next possession, Northwest was kept off the scoreboard the rest of the way. Meanwhile, the Lady Tigers sank several free throws down the stretch to pull away for the five-point victory.
Northwest shot 32 percent from the floor, while Northeast finished at 36 percent shooting. Neither team shot well from three-point range, but the Lady Tigers hit all of their three-pointers in the fourth quarter, helping spark the comeback.
Caldwell finished with a career-high 16 points to lead Northwest, while
Kae'la Mitchell earned 13 points and six rebounds.
Marian Jenkins was held to just four points, but led the Lady Rangers with 13 rebounds.
Additionally, Pilcher finished with seven assists, the most in a single game by any Northwest player this season.
Ella Mask led Northeast with 21 points, while Alexis Rowe finished with a 12-point, 13-rebound double-double. Gardner also added 14 points, along with 11 from Bennett.
With the loss, Northwest fell to 6-8 on the season and 1-4 in conference play, while Northeast improved to 6-9 overall and 2-3 in the MACCC. The Lady Rangers will hit the road on Monday, January 23 to take on Pearl River.
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