North used a 16-2 third-quarter run to pull away from visiting John Hay on the way to a 54-38 nonconference win on Thursday.

With the win, the Rangers closed out the regular season with four wins in their last five games.

“It was good to close the season on a win and a little hot streak, but the girls know that doesn’t mean anything when it gets to the postseason,” said North coach Paul Force. “Every team is preparing and playing to get to that next game. We will enjoy this one tonight but then we have to move on quickly.”

As she has done all season long, Kaitlin Dobida sparked the Rangers with nine first-quarter points, including a 3-for-3 stretch at the free throw line, helping the Rangers jump out to a 14-9 lead heading into the second.

John Hay outscored the Rangers in the second, 12-10, but North still took a 24-21 lead into the break.

The Rangers came out of the locker room inspired and dominated the third quarter.

Dobida scored nine more, Mir Ashley drained a 3-pointer, and Alex Hamilton and Raegan Perkins-Hirz both added two points in the frame.

“John Hay did a nice job covering us up on the perimeter, but I felt our girls handled that pressure well and adjusted to take advantage of some inside looks and some transition buckets,” Force said. “We shot it really well from the free throw line.”

The Rangers finished the night 16-for-21 from the line.

Johny Hay made one final run at the Rangers in the fourth but North made the plays down the stretch to seal their win.

“That’s a good team, 16 wins doesn’t just happen,” Force said. “They play fast and defend hard. This was a for sure a good way to end our regular season.”

Dobida led the Rangers with a game-high 29 points, Perkins-Hirz contributed with nine, Maddy Ferrari scored seven, Hamilton added four, Ashley scored three, and Ella Powalie finished with two points.

North closed out the regular season with a 12-10 record. The Rangers open the postseason at Shaker Heights on Feb. 19.