Box Score FULTON - A 19-9 run in the third quarter from Itawamba helped create separation for the host Lady Indians on Monday evening, as Northwest dropped a 57-45 decision.
Jacia Hayes led the Lady Rangers with 14 points and added six rebounds, as Northwest fell to 15-8 on the season and 7-5 in the MACCC. With the win, Itawamba moved to 19-4 overall and 7-4 in conference play.
Itawamba started off hot, taking a 9-4 lead against Northwest at the midway point of the opening quarter. However, the Lady Rangers pushed back to briefly regain the lead, only for ICC to go on another run and end the quarter with a 15-11 lead.
Both teams battled back and forth in the second quarter and the Lady Rangers were able to wrestle the lead back in their favor, 18-15, with five minutes remaining in the first half. Northwest was able to hang on to the lead going into halftime, holding a slim 25-24 advantage against Itawamba.
For the first five minutes of the third quarter, the tug-of-war continued between the Lady Indians and Northwest, but things changed over the final few minutes. Trailing 32-31, the Lady Rangers fell victim to an 11-3 run from Itawamba, as Northwest trailed 43-34 entering the final quarter of play.
Although Northwest hung within 10 points or less throughout most of the fourth period, Itawamba was simply too much to overcome, as the Lady Indians secured the 12-point home win.
Northwest shot 46 percent from the field, but the Lady Rangers were outmatched at the three-point line and the free throw line, as Itawamba made 69 percent of its free throws. Northwest hit just 44 percent of its free throws and finished 22 percent from beyond the arc, while the Lady Indians hit 31 percent of their three-point shots.
Kae'la Mitchell provided eight points for Northwest, followed by seven from
Zaria Glover. The Lady Rangers also got five rebounds each from Glover and
Mikayla Abram.
Jestiny Dixon led Itawamba with 18 points, while Jamiya Bowen fell just shy of a double-double, recording 10 points and nine boards.
Northwest will now turn to Thursday, February 29, as the Lady Rangers will host Meridian for Sophomore Night and the regular season home finale. The Lady Eagles (9-14, 5-6 MACCC) have lost six of their last eight games, including a 93-47 loss to Mississippi Gulf Coast on Monday evening.
Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 P.M. on Ranger TV and Action News 5 Plus.
