One final road trip had the Northwest College men’s basketball team competing in the Western Nebraska Community College Classic on Friday and Saturday — defeating hosts WNCC 80-78 on Friday before losing in overtime to Otero on Saturday 96-93.

NORTHWEST 80, WNCC 78

Kicking off the weekend the Trappers (11-4) knew they would have their hands full coming up against a fast-paced athletic Cougar (7-5) squad.

Both teams battled early, keeping the contest tied at 11 after seven minutes.

Northwest took advantage over the next four minutes, going on a 12-0 run to give the Trappers a commanding lead just over midway through the first half.

The Trappers continued to lead by double digits, until a small push by the hosts cut into the lead and made it 44-35 heading into the locker room.

Early in the second half the Cougars pressed the initiative, cutting the lead down to just a couple of possessions, but they were never able to make it a one-possession game.

“One of the things we need to do a better job of is staying attacking,” coach Andy Ward said. “I would like to see us extending our leads rather than just trying to hold onto them.”

Northwest pushed its lead back out midway through the half, holding a 12-point advantage with 9:30 remaining.

WNCC made a run late, cutting into the Northwest lead and making it a one possession game with under a minute remaining.

Despite being outscored 11-5 in the last five minutes, the Trappers held on for an 80-78 victory on the road.

“I wish we would have closed it out better,” Ward said. 

Davion McAdam led the Trappers with 25 points, while Juan Pablo Camargo Tellez finished with 15 and Yannice Nlend finished with 13 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and four steals.

OTERO 96, NORTHWEST 93 (OT)

After the victory over the hosts late Friday night, the Trappers turned around for a noon tipoff on Saturday, taking on another Region IX South opponent in Otero (7-7).

A lull loomed over the Trappers early in the contest, with turnovers benefiting the Rattlers en route to a 47-31 halftime lead.

“We found ourselves playing from behind the whole game,” Ward said. “We didn’t do a good enough job. We wouldn’t have even been in the game if we didn’t rebound the basketball.”

Northwest continued to trail Otero throughout the second half, with the Trappers trailing by double digits with two minutes remaining.

The Trappers rallied, cutting a 13-point lead down to a single point with 12 seconds left.

Nlend was sent to the line for a pair of free throws, making one to tie the game at 86.

“To our guys’ credit we chipped away,” Ward said. “We made some plays and found a way to get it to overtime.”

Nlend’s second free throw missed, and a 3-pointer at the buzzer missed for Otero, sending the game into overtime.

Northwest scored the first four points of the extra session, but was unable to capitalize late as the Trappers trailed 96-93 in the closing seconds.

A 3-pointer by Camargo Tellez missed, and a desperation 3-pointer by McAdam at the buzzer came up short, sending the Trappers to a 96-93 loss and splitting the road trip.

Ward said that the Trappers stayed with the lineup that tied the game in regulation and did not sub in overtime, and he feels maybe the team ran out of gas at the end.

“We’ve gotta use that game as a stepping stone,” Ward said. “It’s a tough loss, but there were a lot of good things about that game. We showed some fight and that anything can happen — just wish we would have pulled it out.”

Nlend led Northwest with 26 points, alongside McAdam with 24 points. Camargo Tellez finished with 15 while Kolter Merritt chipped in 13.

NWC outrebounded Otero 46-28 but was unable to overcome 26 turnovers in the game.

HOME GAMES

Northwest returns home for the first time in almost a month, hosting the First Bank Shootout on Thursday (today) and Friday.

The Trappers welcome Dawson Community College (10-4) at 7:30 p.m. to kick off the action.

“They are a very well coached team,” Ward said. “Very good players, well organized, good press and are really disciplined in their offensive attack. It’ll be a terrific test for us, we will have to be ready to play.”

Northwest then takes on Miles Community College (3-11) on Friday at 7:30 p.m. The Trappers defeated MCC on the road 90-56 in November.

NORTHWEST 80, WNCC 78

Offensive rebounds in ()

Points — Davion McAdam 25, Juan Pablo Camargo Tellez 15, Yannice Nlend 13, Will Hemme 8, Christian Adun 8, David Ayala 5, Kolter Merritt 4, Andre Loigu 2

Rebounds — Yannice Nlend 10 (2), Davion McAdam 6, Christian Adun 6 (2), Juan Pablo Camargo Tellez 5 (3), Will Hemme 4 (1), Andre Loigu 3 (2), David Ayala 3 (1), Kolter Merritt 1 (1)

Assists — Yannice Nlend 6, Davion McAdam 2, Andre Loigu 2, Will Hemme 2

Steals — Yannice Nlend 4, Davion McAdam 1, Andre Loigu 1, Will Hemme 1, Mack Page 1, Christian Adun 1

OTERO 96, NORTHWEST 93 (OT)

Points — Yannice Nlend 26, Davion McAdam 24, Juan Pablo Camargo Tellez 15, Kolter Merritt 13, Mack Page 6, David Ayala 4, Will Hemme 3, Milton Rodriguez-Santana 2

Rebounds — Yannice Nlend 9 (3), Davion McAdam 8 (1), Mack Page 6 (2), Juan Pablo Camargo Tellez 6 (4), Will Hemme 3, Christian Adun 3, Kolter Merritt 3 (1), David Ayala 2 (1), Milton Rodriguez-Santana 1 (1), Andre Loigu 1, Antwon Logan 1 (1)

Assists — Yannice Nlend 5, Will Hemme 3, Juan Pablo Camargo Tellez 2, Davion McAdam 1, Andre Loigu 1, David Ayala 1

Steals — Will Hemme 4, Davion McAdam 4, Yannice Nlend 2, Andre Loigu 1, Kolter Merritt 1

Blocks — Juan Pablo Camargo Tellez 2