Lady Indians hold on against Northwest to extend win streak

Lady Indians hold on against Northwest to extend win streak
Lee Adams/LetsGoICC.com

FULTON, Miss – The Itawamba Community College Lady Indians' current win streak was in jeopardy Monday night, but they were able to fend off the surge of the Northwest Lady Rangers to pick up the 80-77 win.

Sophomore guard and current MACJC Player of the Week Jayla Chills (Ripley) scored a game-high 28 points, but none bigger than two free throws in the closing seconds that propelled the Lady Indians to their twelfth straight win.

The first half was a battle with the lead changing hands eight times before the Lady Indians (17-2, 8-0 MACJC North Division) pulled away with a 10-0 run to hold a 46-27 lead at the break. The Lady Indians led by as much as 21 points in the contest, but the Lady Rangers began to chip away.

The Lady Rangers went on a 12-0 run after halftime as they began to feed the ball to their center Aspriona Gilbert, who scored 19 points in the second half and finished with 23. Gilbert tied the game with an old-fashion three-point play with 38.7 seconds remaining in regulation.

Chills drove down the court on the Lady Indians' next possession and drew the foul that led to her game-winning free throws. Alontra Tucker (Lamar) added to the Lady Indians small lead moments later with a steal and a free throw; however, the Lady Rangers had final possession. Kelsey Brown got off a contested 3-pointer from the corner, but it was off the mark, securing the Lady Indians' victory.

Ricki Hooker (Olive Branch) scored 11 points, followed by Lanikki McMillian (Pontotoc) and Jeronia Allen (Minden, LA) with 10 each. McMillian finished with a team-high eight rebounds.

The Lady Indians carry their win streak on the road again Thursday as they travel for a showdown with the Holmes Lady Bulldogs. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. in Goodman.

For more information on ICC women's basketball, follow the Indians on Twitter (@LetsGoICC).