SENATOBIA - Another member of the 2024-25 Northwest women's basketball team is heading to the NCAA Division I level.

Sophomore Aaliyah Taylor signed with Mississippi Valley State earlier this week, keeping her talents within the Magnolia State. Taylor joins Lady Ranger teammate Mariah Reed-Jones in signing with a SWAC program, after Reed-Jones inked with Jackson State in late April.

"I am really excited and ready for the challenge to keep playing at Mississippi Valley State," Taylor said. "I have known [assistant coach Ashley Shields] since 10th grade, so I am really excited to play for her again and [head coach Jason James]. Northwest and its coaching staff really set the tone with the workouts, hard coaching and not letting me settle. Coach LaTaryl Williams and Coach Pimpton really pushed me to be my best and to give 100-percent effort during every practice and every game, but they also cared about me as a person. It was about more than basketball with them."

In her lone season with the Lady Rangers, Taylor played in 21 games, earning 17 starts. The Marion, Ark. native finished fourth on the team, averaging 8.4 points per game and 2.2 rebounds per game. However, she led the team from beyond the arc, hitting 33 three-pointers on the season.

Taylor finished in double figures nine times during the 2024-25 campaign, including a season-high 16 points in the season-opening win against Shorter College on November 1. Her most recent double-digit performance was a 10-point showing at Northeast on January 30.

Prior to Northwest, Taylor spent her freshman season at Connors State College, where she helped the Cowgirls to the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament and the 2023-24 NJCAA Region II title. While at Connors State, Taylor saw action in all 31 games, averaging 4.5 points and 1.4 rebounds per game. She earned her career-high of 21 points in a 100-63 victory against Western Oklahoma State College on January 8, 2024.

"I am so proud of Aaliyah," Williams said. "Although she only played one season for us, she made a huge impact both on and off the court. When we started to recruit her, we were in need of someone who could be a consistent threat from the perimeter. She came in with a championship pedigree and a toughness we needed with this young group, and Aaliyah accepted her role and thrived in it. She has reaped the benefits of her heard work and accomplished her goal to play at the Division I level. We are so happy for her and she will be a huge asset to the Devilettes."

Last season, Mississippi Valley State finished 8-23 overall, but recorded six of its wins inside the SWAC. The Devilettes advanced to the second round of the SWAC Tournament after a win against Florida A&M.

Taylor is the ninth player under Williams to sign to a four-year program and the third NCAA Division I player in the past two seasons, joining the aforementioned Reed-Jones and Zaria Glover (Jackson State/Alabama A&M).