NWC WOMEN STUMBLE IN CASPER, ROCK SPRINGS

BY SETH ROMSA TRIBUNE SPORTS WRITER
Courtesy of the Powell Tribune

Two late season losses have set the stage for a key final game of the season for the Northwest College women's basketball team. Losses to Casper College 68-48 on Feb. 19 and Western Wyoming 79-51 on Saturday have put the Trappers in a must-win last game if they want to host a postseason contest.    

CASPER COLLEGE 68, NORTHWEST 48
Starting out the action in Casper the Trappers (17-12 overall, 4-7 Region IX North) matched up with the Thunderbirds (22-6 overall, 9-1 Region IX North), the top seed in the region.

After Northwest held the initial lead, the Thunderbirds took over the lead, building it up to 11-6 midway through the first quarter.

Casper expanded that lead even further before quarter's end, making it a double digit contest ahead 20-8.

Northwest was unable to chip away at the lead by the midway point of the second quarter, as Casper maintained its double digit lead.

Just before the half the Trappers created a little momentum, cutting the lead down to 34-25 at the break.

"Casper really focused on taking away our 3-point shots, and then they played really good defense inside," coach Cody Helenbolt said. "They just have a size advantage over us at most spots, and so when they can take the three away and make it into a game like that, it's not going to favor us and our team."

Northwest struggled to score early in the second half, as Casper made it a 46-29 contest by the midway point.

While the Trappers scored the only three point in the final five minutes, they trailed 48-32 heading into the fourth quarter.

Casper quickly expanded its lead in the fourth quarter and nearly made it a 20 point game, and saw out the remainder of the game to secure the 68-48 victory.

"Defensively we did OK in that game, 68 points for them, but we probably needed it to be about 58 and then we needed our offense to be a little bit better," Helenbolt said. 

Silva led with 19 points and six rebounds, adding the only two assists for the Trappers in the contest.

Silva, Jai'La Porter and Carolina Ruiz each had two steals.     

WESTERN WYOMING 79, NORTHWEST 51
After the loss Saturday, the Trappers went on the road to Rock Springs to take on the Mustangs (20-8 overall, 7-3 Region IX North).

Northwest got off to a strong start against Western, holding a 9-7 lead midway through the first quarter.

Western responded with a run to end the first to counteract the Trappers, as the Mustangs led 18-14 heading into the second.

The Mustangs started their scoring strong again in the second quarter, nearly building a double digit advantage before the Trappers responded and only trailed 29-23 midway through the frame.

Western responded with a run of its own again, quickly expanding its lead and denying Northwest an opportunity to respond, as the Trappers trailed 38-25 at the break.

The Trappers got back into the game by the midway point of the third quarter, cutting the lead down to 41-36 before disaster struck.

Silva was called for a technical foul for clapping following a foul call, and was later issued a second technical foul just 1:20 later for a similar incident while sitting on the bench.

"We're doing some good stuff, cut the lead down and then we had the double technical ejection and that just kind of took the wind out of our sails," Helenbolt said.

That meant the Trappers would have to play the final 13 minutes without their leading scorer, and they trailed 52-36 less than a minute later.

Western took advantage and expanded its lead, making it a 59-40 contest by quarter's end.

The Mustangs pushed their lead quickly over 20 early in the fourth quarter and finished the game strong to earn a 79-51 win.

"In both of these games we had to try and stop the kids that killed us last time, and we did that in both games," Helenbolt said. "But they're good teams, and other kids stepped up."

Ruiz led with 14 points just ahead of Kelsi Nicholson with 10, while Nicholson added a team-high four steals.    

REGULAR SEASON FINALE
Heading into the final game of the regular season the Trappers are in a must-win situation if they want to host a postseason game next week, currently sitting in a three-way tie for the 4th-6th seeds.

The Trappers are set to host Gillette College (19-9 overall, 6-4 Region IX North) tonight (Thursday) at 5:30, with a win essentially locking up the fourth seed.

If Northwest loses, it will likely be on the road next week, as Eastern Wyoming currently holds a tiebreaking win over Gillette that the Trappers do not have to this point in the season.

Northwest will also be without its leading scorer in Silva, who will be sitting out due to her ejection in the Western contest.

"Not going to have Bianca. She did very well against them (Gillette) last time, 29 (points), other kids are just going to have to step up and score more than they have all year," Helenbolt said. "It's a tough task against a good team. We have good players, they just have to play. We have to play a really good game … With Eastern winning that really made this game against Gillette important … I hope the kids are fired up and ready to go."     

CASPER COLLEGE 68, NORTHWEST 48
Total rebounds then offensive rebounds in ()
Points — Bianca Silva 19, Tayva Phillips 8, Jai'La Porter 7, Kelsi Nicholson 5, Carolina Ruiz 5, Emma Pique 2, Taylee Carlson 2
Rebounds — Bianca Silva 6, Tayva Phillips 4 (1), Jai'La Porter 4 (1), Taylee Carlson 3, Carolina Ruiz 3 (2), Kelsi Nicholson 2 (1), Elise Swan 1
Assists — Bianca Silva 2
Steals — Jai'La Porter 2, Bianca Silva 2, Carolina Ruiz 2, Emma Pique 1, Tayva Phillips 1, Kelsi Nicholson 1, Elise Swan 1
Blocks — Emma Pique 1, Tayva Phillips 1, Jai'La Porter 1, Taylee Carlson 1       

WESTERN WYOMING 79, NORTHWEST 51
Points — Carolina Ruiz 14, Kelsi Nicholson 10, Jai'La Porter 8, Tayva Phillips 6, Emma Pique 5, Bianca Silva 4, Taylee Carlson 4
Rebounds — Tayva Phillips 4 (1), Kelsi Nicholson 4 (2), Emma Pique 3 (1), Sydnee Harris 2 (1), Carolina Ruiz 2, Jai'La Porter 1 (1), Bianca Silva 1
Assists — Selen Ucak 2, Emma Pique 1, Kelsi Nicholson 1, Bianca Silva 1, Elise Swan 1
Steals — Kelsi Nicholson 4, Jai'La Porter 2, Tayva Phillips 1, Bianca Silva 1, Carolina Ruiz 1      

REGION IX STANDINGS
Overall record then Region IX record
1. Casper College 22-6, 9-1
2. Western Wyoming 20-8, 7-3
3. Gillette College 19-9, 6-4
4. Eastern Wyoming 14-14, 4-6
5. Northwest 17-12, 4-7
6. Laramie County Community College 13-13, 4-6
7. Central Wyoming 7-22, 2-9