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Not even four double-figure scores, including a second top-notch Lagio Grantsaan game of the week could rescue the Northwest College men’s basketball team in an 81-78 double-overtime loss to Eastern Wyoming.
After previously falling 75-59 to Laramie County Community College last week, the Trappers are 7-11 on the season.
The Northwest women lost to the same two teams, 90-72 to Laramie and 79-70 to Eastern.
Grantsaan, a sophomore forward, had a monster game against Laramie, scoring 21 points and grabbing 17 rebounds. Kyle Brown added 10 points as Northwest trailed by just five points at the half before losing touch in the second half.
Against Eastern, Trappers Brown (17 points), Calvin Fugett Jr. (16), and Reme Torbert (11) joined Grantsaan in double figures.
The Lady Trappers, now 2-15, trailed 29-10 after the first quarter at Laramie. Three players, Juliana Ribeiro, Melissa Martinez and Jenna Lohrenz each scored 11 points.
Eastern led by two points going into the fourth quarter, but expanded its lead. Selena Cudney and Berkeley Larsen led Northwest with 13 points apiece. Kaylee Brown contributed 12 and Tayla Sayer 11.
Earlier games
The Trappers outlasted the Williston State 94-93 in overtime on Jan. 5.
And that came after the Trappers lost to the Tetons twice earlier this season, once by 39 points and once by three points.
This was a very satisfying result for the Trappers at their home gym in Powell after those previous losses.
“Absolutely,” said coach Dawud Abdur-Rahkman. “It was very up-and-down and emotional.”
It was 43-41 Williston at the half and 83-83 at the end of regulation.
Abdur-Rahkman said the Trappers probably should have won in regulation time, but ill-timed mistakes, turnovers or missed free throws cost them.
“We had four or five of those things happen to us,” he said.
Five Northwest players scored in double figures with guard Torbert turning in a stupendous statistical game with 32 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists.
“He was unconscious,” Abdur-Rahkman said of Torbert’s brilliance in the game.
At one point during the action, an impressed coach turned to his bench and said, “It’s one of those days for him.”
Grantsaan added 19 points, Fugett Jr. scored 16 points with seven assists and Brian Howell and Saheem Anthony contributed 10 points each.
Axel Okongo made two key blocks, the 7-footer clogging the lane at key moments.
“That was a critical part of our defense,” Abdur-Rahkman said.
The Northwest women had a similar struggle with Williston State, but lost 73-72 as part of the double-header.
The Lady Trappers saw 17 points and 12 rebounds from Cudney. Tess Henry added 14 points and Larsen 13.
“It was very tough,” coach Camden Levett said of the loss. “We led the entire way. I felt for the girls.”
The Lady Trappers lost to the Tetons 59-45 Nov. 8, but this game had a much more positive feel.
“Night and day,” Levett said.