By Brett Brown

For The Observer

Sophomore forward Hope Adams of Oxford notched her fifth double-double of the season, but it wasn't enough as the Northwest Mississippi Community College Lady Rangers dropped an 86-85 decision in overtime to the Mississippi Delta Lady Trojans on Feb. 8 in Moorhead.

Northwest, 11-6 overall and 8-2 in the MACJC north, can claim its first division championship since the 2000-01 season by winning the final two games on its schedule.

Adams, the Lady Rangers' leading scorer and rebounder, poured in a game-high 24 points and grabbed 14 rebounds to lead Northwest. Adams made eight-of-18 attempts from the field and converted eight-of-11 free throws.

Mississippi Delta led the Lady Rangers, 74-69, with 28 seconds left, but a basket by Northwest guard Lanita Futrell of Coldwater cut the margin to 74-71 with 11 seconds remaining.

The Lady Trojans missed the front end of a one-and-one which gave the Lady Rangers one final chance. Northwest guard De-Kisha Fondon of Water Valley knocked down a three-pointer at the buzzer to send the contest into the extra period.

The Lady Rangers fell behind, 83-78, in overtime, but Adams added a three-point play and knocked down an eight-foot jumper, while Futrell scored on a layup after making a steal to put Northwest in front, 85-84, with 49 seconds left.

Mississippi Delta hit a pair of game-winning free throws with 31 seconds left to kill the Lady Ranger rally.

Fondon added 19 points and eight rebounds for Northwest, while Tamara Wadlington of Oxford added 17 points. Sabrina Townsend of Batesville chipped in with 12 points.

The Lady Rangers play their final home game of the season Thursday, Feb. 11, by hosting Coahoma at Howard Coliseum in Senatobia. Tip off is for 5 p.m.