PARIS, TEXAS - Northwest Mississippi Community College women's basketball team (3-2) suffered a heartbreaking 69-65 loss to perennial basketball powerhouse Trinity Valley Community College (2-2) in the first game of the Paris JC Classic.  

The first two quarters were a back-and-forth affair that led to the two teams going into the halftime break tied at 29 points apiece.  

The third and fourth quarters were also extremely closely contested. However, turnovers proved to be an issue for the Rangers, turning the ball over 19 times. This led to NWCC losing by only four points.  

Another factor in the loss for Northwest was their untimely missed free throws, making only 15 of 27.  

However, not everything was lost for the Rangers. Four of the five Ranger starters ended the game with double digit points. Sophomores Layla Hampton and Takera Bland led the team with 16 points each. Hampton also dominated the defensive glass, garnering eight defensive rebounds. Sophomore guard Dekyra Mitchell contributed 14 points of her own to the Ranger efforts.  

Sophomore forward Alorian Story also dominated the glass, accumulating 11 rebounds to go along with her 14 points. This was Story's third double-double in five games. 

Northwest (3-2) will look to get back into the win column tomorrow, Saturday, November 15 when they take on Blinn College (2-1) at 1 p.m. in their second game of the Paris JC Classic. 

To stay up to date on the NWCC women's basketball team, follow the Ranger social media accounts or go to nwccrangers.com.