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The Northwest College women’s basketball team used a second-half comeback and a late surge to earn a second straight Region IX victory, defeating Gillette College 63-59 at Cabre Gym last Friday.
NORTHWEST 63, GILLETTE 59Hoping to carry momentum from a win a few days prior, the Trappers (13-10 overall, 2-4 Region IX North) were looking for a second victory of the week, this time against the Pronghorns (12-12 overall, 1-5 Region IX North).
Gillette came out and took advantage of a slow start from Northwest, leading 10-6 midway through the first quarter. That lead held, and the Pronghorns took a 13-8 advantage into the second quarter.
The visitors continued to push in the second, building the advantage out to 22-14 midway through the quarter.
Northwest attempted a late push before the break, but a bigger response by the Pronghorns pushed the lead out to 31-21 heading into the locker room.
Gillette took its biggest lead of the game at the start of the third quarter, up 35-23 with 8:38 left in the frame before Northwest found its rhythm.
“Our girls did a great job of sticking to the game plan and making minor adjustments at half,” coach Lauren Davis said.
A 10-0 run started by a Carolina Ruiz 3-pointer and capped off by a Kamalani Anitielu jumper sparked the Trappers, who found other opportunities with leading scorer Roxanne Rogers shut down by the Pronghorns.
“They were face guarding Roxanne and I feel like that opened up opportunities for others to make an impact,” Davis said. “Multiple people stepped up in big ways; however, I think our defense is what helped us win.”
Northwest finally tied the game at 37 with 2:08 left in the quarter, but were unable to capture the lead — trailing 41-39 after the third.
The Trappers took their first lead since it was 2-0 at the start of the game, when four straight points by Kelsi Nicholson helped give Northwest a 45-43 advantage with 7:12 left in the contest.
The two teams exchanged leads, until four straight points by Jai’La Porter helped Northwest build a two possession advantage up 52-46.
“They stayed gritty and I think that is what led us to a win,” Davis said.
Gillette did not go away, but Northwest had an answer and did not relinquish the lead late.
Anitielu sealed it with a free throw with four seconds left, to give Northwest the 63-59 victory.
Nicholson led with a 15 point, 13 rebound double-double, including eight of those rebounds being offensive.
Anitielu added 13 points and eight rebounds while Bianca Silva was the final Trapper in double-figures with 11.
Ruiz led Northwest with six assists.
SOUTHEAST ROAD TRIPAfter their lone contest last week the Trappers took the week to practice and get prepared to start the second half of the conference season.
Northwest will start by looking for revenge in a pair of contests in the southeast corner of the state.
That will start against Laramie County Community College (10-12 overall, 3-3 Region IX North) at 5:30 p.m. on Friday in Cheyenne.
Northwest lost the first matchup 69-54 to the Golden Eagles on Jan. 27.
The Trappers will then continue up the road to Torrington to take on Eastern Wyoming College (10-13 overall, 4-2 Region IX North) at 2 p.m. on Saturday.
“We want to build off of what we did with Gillette,” Davis said. “We will keep emphasizing the importance of rebounding. Without extra effort on the glass we will come up short again.”
Northwest lost the first matchup 81-70 in Powell on Jan. 25.
NORTHWEST 63, GILLETTE 59Total rebounds then offensive rebounds in ()Points — Kelsi Nicholson 15, Kamalani Anitielu 13, Bianca Silva 11, Jai’La Porter 8, Roxanne Rogers 7, Carolina Ruiz 7, Selen Ucak 2Rebounds — Kelsi Nicholson 13 (8), Kamalani Anitielu 8 (2), Bianca Silva 6 (2), Selen Ucak 4, Roxanne Rogers 3, Carolina 3 (2), Jai’La Porter 1Assists — Carolina Ruiz 6, Bianca Silva 3, Roxanne Rogers 2, Kamalani Anitielu 2, Selen Ucak 1Steals — Carolina Ruiz 2, Kelsi Nicholson 2, Bianca Silva 2, Selen Ucak 1Blocks — Roxanne Rogers 1