Fulton, Miss. – A big third quarter by the Lady Indians propelled them to a 76-68 win over Northwest in the second round of the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament Wednesday night.
The Lady Indians trailed for most of the first half and were down 26-29 at the break as Northwest got a big 21-point first half performance from Tierra Trotter, who finished with 27. However, the Lady Indians made adjustments at halftime and outscored the Lady Rangers 27-13 in the third quarter to hold a seven-point lead going into the fourth.
In the final quarter, the game's intensity picked up as well as foul calls, but the Lady Indians were able to stay in control and pick up the 76-68 victory.
The Lady Indians had five players score in double figures in the full team effort victory led by Amelya Hatch (Ripley) with 18 points, including 11 in the second half alone.
Xhiir Burgess (Oxford) and Nadia Gillespie (Olive Branch) added 14 points each, followed by Mariah Holland (Oxford) with 12 points. R'Daztiny Harris (Hickory Flat) scored 12 points coming off the bench and Ky'Leo Worriels (Hinesville, Ga) finished with 10 points.
Next up in the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament for the Lady Indians is another familiar North Division opponent, as East Mississippi will come to Fulton for the third-round matchup, Monday at 6 p.m.
The Lady Indians are 2-0 against East Mississippi this season picking up a 73-68 win in Scooba and winning a close 51-50 battle in Fulton.
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