POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. - Despite hanging close with seventh-ranked Three Rivers College for the better part of Monday evening's road contest, Northwest was outscored 25-6 over the span of the fourth quarter, falling to the Lady Raiders by an 80-49 final.
Both teams shot 41 percent on the evening, but the biggest difference came at the free throw line, where Three Rivers finished 75 percent (18-24) compared to just 48 percent for Northwest (15-31).
Three Rivers led 16-10 at the conclusion of the first quarter and still held a 31-25 advantage going into halftime. Though Northwest remained within close range of the Lady Raiders, TRC began pulling away toward the end of the third period before blowing the game open over the final 10 minutes.
Three Lady Rangers finished in double figures, including
Aaliyah Taylor's 14 points.
Layla Hampton added 11 points to go with three rebounds and three steals, while
Mariah Reed-Jones fell just shy of a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds.
Takera Bland also came away with eight rebounds to go with six points, while
Alorian Story totaled seven boards.Â
Though Northwest was able to shut down many of the Lady Raiders' primary starters, Three Rivers had three players come off the bench to finish in double digits. Sydnei Marshall led TRC with 14 points, followed by 13 points and a team-best six rebounds by Laylah Reese.
Kaleigh Thompson was the lone Lady Raider to record double figures, scoring 12 points with five rebounds, two assists and a pair of steals. Bramiya Johnson rounded out the leading scorers off the bench with 10 points.
Three Rivers College improved to 5-1 on the season, while the Lady Rangers dropped to 2-4 overall. Northwest will look to right the ship and snap a four-game losing skid on Thursday, November 21, when Baton Rouge pays a visit to Senatobia.
Baton Rouge and Northwest played earlier this season in the Lady Bear Classic, where the Lady Rangers recorded a victory at BRCC. Tip-off between the two squads is scheduled for 5:30 P.M., with live broadcast coverage on Ranger TV and Action News 5 Plus.
