POPLARVILLE, Miss. — The Northwest Mississippi Community College women’s basketball team defeated Itawamba Community College 77-60 in the semifinals of the Region 23 Tournament. The win sends NWCC to the championship game scheduled for Friday.
Itawamba started strong, shooting 53.8% from the field in the first quarter. Northwest struggled offensively at first, hitting only 31.3%. However, NWCC forced five turnovers early and capitalized on those mistakes. Defensive pressure helped the Rangers take a 30-25 lead into halftime.
In the second half, the game remained competitive. Both teams scored 18 points in the third quarter, trading baskets. NWCC’s offense came alive early in the fourth quarter, going on a 9-0 run fueled by three consecutive three-pointers. That spurred a 14-point lead for the Rangers, who continued to control the game, scoring 29 points in the quarter while holding Itawamba to 17.
Northwest’s energy was evident throughout, especially during the closing minutes. Head coach LaTaryl Williams praised his team’s effort, emphasizing the importance of roles and energy from the bench. Three starters scored over 15 points, led by Dekyra Mitchell with 21. Alorian Story contributed a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds, while Takera Bland added 17 points and nine rebounds.
Turnovers also played a key role, with NWCC committing only eight compared to Itawamba’s 20. The team aims to carry this momentum into the regional final, where they will face the winner of the semifinal between Pearl River Community College and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.
The Region 23 Championship game is set for 6 p.m. on March 13. Fans can follow updates through NWCC’s social media accounts or at nwccrangers.com.
