SENATOBIA – Sophomore guard Lindsay Hall hit four three-pointers and garnered a season-best 17 points to lead Northwest to a 74-62 triumph against Northeast on Thursday evening at Howard Coliseum.

Northwest improved to 13-7 overall and 5-4 in the MACJC North, remaining a game ahead of fourth place Holmes in the division standings. Northeast dropped to 3-16 on the season and 1-8 in division play.

Much like Monday's matchup at Coahoma, the Lady Rangers bolted to a quick start in the opening quarter. Tied at 4-4 two and a half minutes into the contest, Northwest used a 17-2 run over the final seven minutes and change to take a commanding 21-6 lead entering the second period.

Northwest remained ahead by double figures throughout the second quarter, stretching its lead to 18 points three different times. Up 37-19 with 2:22 remaining in the first half, the Lady Rangers fell victim to a 6-0 Northeast run that allowed the Lady Tigers to pull within 12 at halftime, 37-25.

Once more, the Lady Rangers opened the second half with a bang as a fastbreak Kayla Freeman layup and one of Hall's three-pointers quickly pushed the lead back to 17 for Northwest. 

A three-pointer from freshman Taylor Fletcher and an Ariel Tunstall jumper helped Northwest gain a 20-point advantage with 4:35 left in the third quarter, but a 13-1 run from Northeast suddenly brought the Lady Tigers back within eight at 51-43 entering the final eight minutes.

Northwest started the final quarter with a layup and one from Freeman to move back ahead by double digits but Northeast continued to fight back. Trailing 54-43, the Lady Tigers used an 8-0 run to slice the deficit to three, 54-51.

Northeast would go cold for the next three and a half minutes however, allowing the Lady Rangers to take advantage. Hall sparked a quick 7-0 scoring burst with a clutch outside shot, followed by baskets from Freeman and Fletcher, once again pushing Northwest ahead by 10 points, 63-53, with 4:18 remaining.

Northeast pulled within six twice more over the closing minutes of regulation but Northwest closed out the final two minutes with a 9-3 run to hold on to the home victory.

In addition to Hall's 17 points, Freeman also earned 12 points, five rebounds, three assists, three blocks and three steals for the Lady Rangers. Tunstall also provided 10 points as Tamarah Sykes finished with a team-high 12 rebounds and seven points.

Tekeria Newson led Northeast with 24 points and eight rebounds, matching a career-high for the Lady Tigers. Dominique Caldwell also paced NEMCC with 12 points, seven boards and five steals.

Northwest shot 39 percent from the floor compared to 30 percent from the Lady Tigers. Both teams finished near even in rebounds, as Northeast edged the Lady Rangers 51-47.

Northwest also earned 29 points off turnovers and 29 points off the bench, led by eight from Claire Fleming.

Northwest will spend next week on the road, first facing East Mississippi on Monday, Feb. 10 in Scooba. Tipoff is expected for 5:30 p.m. with live stats provided through nwccrangers.com.