SENATOBIA - The Northwest Mississippi Community College women's basketball team (0-4) suffered a 85-56 defeat at the hands of East Mississippi Community College (2-1) on Tuesday night at Howard Coliseum.
"I thought that the first quarter was kind of sluggish, and it just snowballed from there," Head Coach LaTaryl Williams said. "After losing two games on the road, I thought we would come out with more energy and more fight than what we needed tonight."
The game got off to a sluggish start for both teams. However, the Rangers were able to outscore the Lions 19-18 in the first quarter. In the first frame, Northwest shot 50% from the floor and held East to a 43.8% shooting percentage. However, after the first quarter, the Rangers would struggle shooting from the floor.
In the second quarter, Northwest only made two shots, and in the third quarter, Northwest only made three. Although NWCC improved their shooting percentage in the fourth quarter and made eight of their 19 shots, the EMCC lead had blossomed by almost 30 points, and it was too late for the Rangers to get back in the game.
Once again, Northwest struggled with taking care of the ball and turned it over 24 times.
"We're averaging 20 turnovers a game," Williams said. "Taking care of the basketball, making stronger passes, catching the ball with confidence. We're not doing those things."
However, all was not lost for the Rangers. NWCC had their highest scoring frame in the last quarter, scoring 20 points. Freshman Layla Johnson found her groove in the fourth quarter, hitting multiple three-pointers and ending the night as the leading scorer for the Rangers with 16 points.
Freshman Dekendra Mitchell led the Rangers in assists with four, and Morgan Thompson led the team in rebounds with seven. Northwest also had four blocks to East's one.
Next up, Northwest will travel to West Memphis, Ark., for the ASU Mid-South Greyhound Classic. On Friday, November 13, the Rangers will take on National Park College (4-1) at 5:00 p.m. Then, on Saturday, November 14, the Rangers will take on ASU Mid-South (0-3) at 2:00 p.m.
To stay up to date on the NWCC women's basketball team, follow the Ranger social media accounts or go to nwccrangers.com.
