SENATOBIA - In their first game of the season, the Northwest Mississippi Community College women's basketball team (0-1) suffered a 69-49 defeat at the hands of Bishop State Community College (1-0).
"I just think we weren't up for the challenge for some reason," Head Coach LaTaryl Williams said. "With it being a season opener, playing at home, I expected us to come out with a little bit more energy. I saw a little bit in the second half but disappointed we didn't have that from the start."
From tip-off, the Rangers struggled to find their footing offensively, and the team only scored six points while allowing Bishop State to score 21.
Although the offensive production picked up a bit in the second quarter, NWCC still accumulated several costly turnovers and allowed the Wildcats to once again score 21 points in a quarter. This resulted in Bishop State taking a 42-22 lead into halftime.
Like Williams said, the energy definitely picked up in the second half. However, turnovers and poor shot selection really plagued the Rangers.
In the third quarter, Northwest gave up at least 20 points for the third quarter in a row and only scored 15.
Even though the fourth quarter was a low scoring frame all-around, the Rangers did outscore the Wildcats 12-7.
Some of the Rangers' woes could be attributed to the fact that due to injury only one player, Zoe Metcalf, that stepped on the floor tonight had put on a Northwest jersey before.
Many of the issues that NWCC had in their contest against Bishop State can be fixed. The Rangers had 23 turnovers and can trim down that number by simply taking care of the ball. The Rangers also only shot 5-13 from the charity stripe and can easily bring this percentage up as well.
"You're not going to beat anybody with those kinds of numbers," Williams said. "Those type of numbers are a recipe for disaster."
The Rangers chance at redemption will not be an easy matchup as they travel to Poplar Bluff, Mo. to take on #10 Three Rivers (2-0) at the Three Rivers Classic on Friday, November 6 at 6:00 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.
