NICEVILLE, Fla. (Interstat) — Alana Nelson scored 28 points to lead Fort Wayne to a 77-68 victory over Northwestern State in a nonconference women’s basketball game Tuesday at Raider Arena.

The Mastodons seized control early, outscoring the Demons 24-13 in the first quarter and extending their lead to 43-29 by halftime. Fort Wayne’s offense was efficient in the first half, building a cushion that would prove vital later.

Northwestern State mounted a significant challenge in the third quarter, erupting for 27 points. A dominant stretch saw the Demons cut a sizable deficit to just a single possession, putting the Mastodons on their heels heading into the final period.

Fort Wayne, however, regrouped defensively in the fourth quarter, holding Northwestern State to just 12 points. The Mastodons’ defense forced 20 turnovers for the game, converting them into 25 points, which was a key factor in stemming the Demons’ comeback attempt.

Nelson, a 5-foot-11 guard from Springport, Michigan, was the standout performer, adding three assists in 34 minutes of action. She was supported by Ella Riggs and Rylee Bess, who scored 12 and 10 points, respectively. Jordan Reid also chipped in 11 points for the Mastodons.

Northwestern State was led by Vernell Atamah, who matched Nelson’s game-high with 28 points of her own. The 6-foot guard from Mesquite, Texas, also tallied three assists and a block. Nya Valentine facilitated the Demons’ offense with a game-high seven assists and added 10 points. Carla Celaya contributed 11 points for Northwestern State.

While the Demons won the battle in the paint, 40-34, and held a significant 12-5 advantage in offensive rebounds, they were undone by their ball security. Fort Wayne’s 11 steals and the resulting points off turnovers offset Northwestern State’s interior presence.

From beyond the arc, Fort Wayne held a decisive edge, connecting on 10 of 25 attempts compared to Northwestern State’s 4-of-15 shooting. Both teams struggled from the free-throw line, with the Mastodons making 13 of 26 and the Demons converting 12 of 16.

The win improves Fort Wayne’s record to 4-3 on the season, while Northwestern State falls to 3-4. The Mastodons are scheduled to play next at Bowling Green on Sunday. Northwestern State’s next contest is at Southeastern Louisiana on Dec. 7.