Northwest College

News Archive (2019-20 and older)

Lady Trappers Win One And Lose One

NWC Free Throws Key To Victory Against Central 

Playing on the road last week, the Northwest College women’s basketball team lost to Western Wyoming Community College, 76-48, before beating Central Wyoming, 74-68. 

“Ultimately, what I think won that game for us was free throw shooting,” head coach Janis Beal said of the Friday win against Central Wyoming. 

Although making just two baskets in the fourth quarter, the Lady Trappers made 13 of 15 attempts from the free throw line. The squad sank 18 of 21 free throws in the game, good for an 85.7 percent success rate. 

The Lady Trappers put together a 41-36 lead at halftime, aided by Alexi Payne. She came off the bench in the second quarter and hit four 3-point baskets while scoring 14 of her 19 points. 

“That was a huge lift for our team for coming off the bench and knocking down some shots,” Beal said of Payne. 

In the second half, Northwest outscored Central by only one point, 33-32 to win 74-68. 

Fellow freshman Kira Marlow joined Payne in double digits with 11 points. 

In the rebound department, Dani McManamen and Jessie Lessard led the team with 10 each. McManamen’s 10 consisted of seven defensive and three offensive and Lessard had six defensive and four offensive.

As a team, the Lady Trappers out rebounded the Lady Rustlers 45 to 25. 

Domenica Gomes had the team’s most assists with six. 

Citing 20 turnovers, Beal added that it was an “ugly win.” 

In the Thursday, Jan. 26, loss to Western Wyoming the Trappers actually finished with fewer turnovers, with 14. 

“I just felt like we just didn’t come out ready to play from the beginning,” Beal said of the 74- 48 loss. 

At halftime, the Lady Trappers trailed 42-22. 

“Just our intensity level and our attention to detail and being ready to play I didn’t feel was there,” said Beal. “We had a lot of the kind of the watch and let someone else do it instead of really working together, as a team, to get our teammates open, our team defense, or anything like that. I felt like we were just trying to do our own thing too much, instead of the team ball.” 

As a team, Northwest struggled on offense, shooting 25 percent from the field, 12.5 percent at the 3-point line and 66.7 percent at the free throw line. 

“There (were) some shots that we had that were good looks that we didn’t knock down and I think it’s kind of a snowball effect of everything from not being ready to play,” Beal said. 

Only seven assists were made the entire game and the Lady Mustangs out-rebounded the Lady Trappers 54 to 39. 

Dallas Petties was the lone player to score in double digits, putting up 18 points, while Western had four players score 10 or more. Petties made it a double-double by collecting 12 rebounds — seven on defense and five on offense. 

“She played hard,” said Beal of Petties. “But we need the whole team to play together and play hard.” 

The coach also gave credit to Western Wyoming.

“There’s a reason they are in the top three (and) they’re one game out from first in the region: They’re a very good team,” Beal said. “So I don’t want to take anything away from them, but I don’t feel like we showed our best effort, either.” 

Next up for the Lady Trappers will be facing off against Gillette College on Saturday at 3 p.m. in Gillette. 

The game can be viewed online at www.gcpronghorns.com/ video/. NWC hosts Sheridan College Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.