Your future, our focus
The Northwest College women’s basketball team went on one of its longest road trips of the season over the weekend, taking part in the Salt Lake Community College Bruin Classic Thursday-Friday.
Without leading scorer Darla Hernandez (17.5 points per game) the Trappers stumbled, defeating the All-Stars 65-54 on Thursday, before losing to No. 9-ranked SLCC 70-50 on Friday and Colorado Northwestern 85-76 on Saturday.
NORTHWEST 64, ALL-STARS 54Starting out the classic, the Trappers (9-4) came up against an All-Star team with the hopes of extending their winning streak out to three games.
Both teams battled in the first quarter, but a late push by Northwest gave the Trappers a 14-11 lead heading into the second quarter.
The two teams were tied 16-16 early in the second quarter, but a 9-2 run over a three minute span gave Northwest a 25-18 lead.
The All-Stars battled all the way back to trail 29-27, before Northwest took a 34-29 lead into the half.
Northwest was unable to separate immediately in the second half, but pushed the lead out to double digits with 3:37 left in the third quarter.
The Trappers pushed the lead out to as many as 20 in the fourth quarter, and walked away with a 64-54 victory.
Roxanne Rogers led the way with 15 points, followed by Yaiza Vacas-Lopez with 12 and Nayeli Acosta with 11.
SLCC 70, NORTHWEST 50Heading into a difficult matchup on Friday, the Trappers tried to capture momentum early against host, No. 9-ranked SLCC (8-0).
The Trappers did just that, keeping the contest close throughout the first quarter but trailed 23-19 heading into the second quarter.
“Against SLCC mentally we were prepared, we came out in the first quarter the best I have ever seen them play,” coach Lauren Davis said. “We got in foul trouble a little bit, SLCC’s size and pace along with their sophomores — I don’t think our freshmen were prepared for that. You can’t grasp the pace and strength with teams like that until you actually play them.”
A difficult second quarter allowed the Bruins to pull away, and push the lead out to 16 at the break 44-28.
Northwest cut the lead down to 10 to start the second half, but was unable to get within single digits and continued to trail 55-41 heading into the fourth quarter.
SLCC was able to finish off the contest with a 70-50 victory. Rogers again led the way with 18 points alongside Acosta as the other double-digit scorer.
COLORADO NORTHWESTERN 85, NORTHWEST 76After the loss on Friday night, Northwest looked to bounce back on Saturday against Colorado Northwestern (4-5) to complete a season sweep of the Spartans and prevent the first multiple game losing streak of the season.
A tight first quarter continued to be the theme, with Colorado Northwestern holding a 21-16 lead after the first quarter.
“We didn’t come out with the firepower we needed,” Davis said.
An 11-0 run over the first five minutes had the Trappers sitting with a 27-21 lead, but Northwest was unable to pull away after holding a double digit lead and only led 41-36 going into halftime.
Colorado Northwestern recaptured the lead just over midway through the third quarter at 55-52, forcing a timeout from Northwest.
The Spartans held onto the lead and took a 62-57 lead into the fourth quarter.
Northwest was unable to overcome a late double-digit deficit, and dropped a second straight game for the first time this season 85-76.
“Fatigue was a big factor, but we need to find a way to win even with the fatigue,” Davis said.
Jimena Montoro-Cabezas led Northwest with 21 points, Rogers finished with 14, while Natalyah Nead finished with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
ROAD TRIP WRAPS UPAfter the long road trip to Salt Lake the Trappers will regroup and head to the Western Nebraska Community College Classic on Friday and Saturday.
Northwest kicks off against hosts WNCC (8-4) on Friday at 5:30 p.m. before taking on Northeastern Junior College (2-6) Saturday at 10 a.m.
“I’m excited to see what happens when we are being tested on the road again and if we can turn it around after a couple losses,” Davis said.
The Trappers expect to have Hernandez back in some capacity, but her minutes may be limited depending on her recovery from a knee injury, Davis said.
NORTHWEST 64, ALL-STARS 54Offensive rebounds in ()Points — Roxanne Rogers 15, Yaiza Vacas-Lopez 12, Nayeli Acosta 11, Anna Knight 9, Natalyah Nead 6, Kamber Goodluck 6, Jimena Montoro-Cabezas 5Rebounds — Jimena Montoro-Cabezas 9 (2), Natalyah Nead 8 (1), Anna Knight 5 (2), Nayeli Acosta 3, Kamber Goodluck 3 (1), Batoul Khaleefah 3, Roxanne Rogers 2 (1), Tyne Killip 1, Yaiza Vacas-Lopez 1Assists — Jimena Montoro-Cabezas 4, Yaiza Vacas-Lopez 3, Nayeli Acosta 2, Batoul Khaleefah 2, Roxanne Rogers 1, Natalyah Nead 1Steals — Natalyah Nead 4, Yaiza Vacas-Lopez 2, Jimena Montoro-Cabezas 1, Nayeli Acosta 1, Kamber Goodluck 1Blocks — Jimena Montoro-Cabezas 1, Anna Knight 1, Yaiza Vacas-Lopez 1
SLCC 70, NORTHWEST 50Points — Roxanne Rogers 18, Nayeli Acosta 15, Jimena Montoro-Cabezas 9, Kamber Goodluck 5, Natalyah Nead 2, Anna Knight 1Rebounds — Nayeli Acosta 8 (2), Jimena Montoro-Cabezas 7 (2), Roxanne Rogers 3 (1), Kamber Goodluck 3, Anna Knight 3, Natalyah Nead 1, Batoul Khaleefah 1 (1)Assists — Batoul Khaleefah 2, Jimena Montoro-Cabezas 1, Nayeli Acosta 1, Kamber Goodluck 1Steals — Roxanne Rogers 2, Jimena Montoro-Cabezas 2, Natalyah Nead 1, Nayeli Acosta 1, Anna Knight 1, Yaiza Vacas-Lopez 1COLORADO NORTHWESTERN 85, NORTHWEST 76Points — Jimena Montoro-Cabezas 21, Roxanne Rogers 14, Natalyah Nead 13, Nayeli Acosta 9, Anna Knight 8, Kamber Goodluck 7, Batoul Khaleefah 4Rebounds — Natalyah Nead 11 (3), Anna Knight 6 (4), Jimena Montoro-Cabezas 6, Roxanne Rogers 3, Nayeli Acosta 2, Yaiza Vacas-Lopez 2 (2), Kamber Goodluck 2Assists — Roxanne Rogers 3, Jimena Montoro-Cabezas 2, Anna Knight 1, Nayeli Acosta 1, Kamber Goodluck 1Steals — Nayelia Acosta 6, Jimena Montoro-Cabezas 2, Roxanne Rogers 1, Kamber Goodluck 1Blocks — Jimena Montoro-Cabezas 1