After a busy week both home and abroad, the Northwest College women’s basketball team posted a 2-1 record, defeating Dawson Community College 79-68 and Miles Community College 87-46 at home before falling to Central Arizona College 80-73 on Tuesday night in Yuma, Arizona.

NORTHWEST 79, DAWSON CC 68

Despite playing shorthanded with two of the top five scorers on the team sidelined with injuries the Trappers (11-5) came out strong against the Buccaneers (2-13).

“We got thrown a major curveball, and had to kind of figure it out. Which makes it challenging,” coach Cody Helenbolt said. “It was a challenge, but in a way it also simplified things a little bit.”

Northwest started on a 9-0 run, building a strong lead before Dawson got on the board just under four minutes into the game.

The Trappers pushed it to double figures at 12-2 on an Emma Pique free throw, before Dawson chipped away with six straight points.

Northwest held off that charge and pushed it back to double-digits on a Pique jumper late in the quarter to lead 21-10 heading into the second quarter.

Dawson stormed ahead in the second quarter, outscoring the Trappers 17-4 over the first four minutes to take the lead.

“That game we were up and down a little bit,” Helenbolt said.

Northwest responded as the two teams went back-and-forth the rest of the first half and were deadlocked going into the break at 35-all.

The exchanging of baskets continued early in the third quarter, as neither team created separation and were tied at 48 with 4:43 remaining.

After another close third quarter neither team created much separation as Dawson held a 56-55 lead heading into the fourth.

Northwest started the fourth quarter on a 12-2 run capped off by a Jaila Childress 3-pointer to make it 67-58.

Dawson did not go away, cutting the lead down once again with a 9-1 stretch to make it 68-67 with just under three minutes left.

Northwest then went on a 9-0 stretch before the Buccaneers scored again, closing out the game with a 79-68 win.

“I was happy that we weathered that,” Helenbolt said. “In those situations in the past, we’ve kind of frozen up a little bit,” Helenbolt said. “I was happy to see us get going.”

Pique led with 23 points, eight steals and three blocks, Isabella Williams had 22 points, Childress had 12 and Addison Hickey added 11.

Hickey had a double-double adding 12 rebounds, while three Trappers led with two assists.

NORTHWEST 87, MILES CC 46

Playing in the season’s final home nonconference game, the Trappers welcomed in the Pioneers (8-10) on Saturday.

After Dawson scored the first two points the Trappers reeled off 18 straight points capped off by Williams free throws to make it 18-2 with 4:06 left in the first quarter.

Miles returned the scoring, but Northwest went into the second quarter leading 23-8.

Northwest kept the lead at double-digits, and eventually pushed it to 20 after a Pique free throw made it 35-15 with 2:36 left in the quarter.

The Trappers kept that scoring up and pushed it to 30 at the break, up 45-15.

In the third the lead hit 40 late, as the Trappers led 61-21 after a Maddie Mills jumper with 3:27 remaining.

Northwest continued cruising through the second half and finished with the 87-46 win as every Trapper who played scored in the contest.

“It’s just to have one where everybody gets double-digit minutes, everybody scores,” Helenbolt said.

Williams led with 21 just ahead of Pique with 18 while Hickey added 12 and Canyon Britt had 10.

Williams added 12 rebounds to complete her double double, Itziar Pozas had four assists and five steals while Pique added two blocks.

“Bella (Williams), 21 points and 12 rebounds, three assists, four steals, only one turnover. That’s a monster game, especially only playing 24 minutes,” Helenbolt said. “I’ve been really happy with her. She’s been a home run of a kid and a recruit … My bench did a really good job … All positives from that game. Nice to get that with our last home game before a long break.”

CENTRAL ARIZONA 80, NORTHWEST 73

Heading down to Yuma, the Trappers matched up with the Vaqueras (8-4) on Tuesday night.

Early on neither team created separation, as it was deadlocked at 11 midway through the first quarter.

Central Arizona opened up with a seven point lead, but the Trappers closed the gap and trailed 20-17 heading into the second quarter.

The Vaqueras opened up the next frame strong, building a 29-21 lead midway through.

Northwest again chipped away at the lead, but this time Central Arizona had an answer and pushed the lead back to 42-33 heading into halftime.

The margin remained in the third, as the Vaqueras pushed it to as many as 10.

Northwest made a late push and cut the lead down to 52-51 on a Pique 3-pointer, but a jumper at the buzzer made it 54-51 heading into the fourth quarter.

Central Arizona quickly pushed the lead back out, but the Trappers again responded and cut the lead down to 64-66 midway through the final frame on a Williams jump shot.

That trend continued, but this time Northwest was unable to find an answer as the Vaqueras pulled away for an 80-73 win.

Hickey led with 28 points, Pique added 18 and Williams added 15.

Hickey added 11 rebounds to complete her double double, Pozas had four assists and tied for the team lead in steals at three alongside Elise Swan.

Northwest played two more games against Arizona Western College (5-7) on Wednesday night and North Idaho College (5-6) on Thursday afternoon. Those results were determined after the press deadline.

“With this week being so crazy, it’s been a little tough,” Helenbolt said on Saturday. “It’s [Arizona] going to be a challenge for sure. But hopefully it’s a fun challenge. That’s what we’re hoping for going into break.”

Catch full recaps of those contests in the Dec. 30 edition of the Powell Tribune.

The Trapper women return to the court in mid-January with the opening of Region IX play on Jan. 15 and 17.

NORTHWEST 79, DAWSON CC 68

Total rebounds then offensive rebounds in ()

Points — Emma Pique 23, Isabella Williams 22, Jaila Childress 12, Addison Hickey 11, Itziar Pozas 8, Elise Swan 3

Rebounds — Addison Hickey 12 (6), Isabella Williams 9 (3), Jaila Childress 6, Emma Pique 4, Saige Kidd 3 (2), Itziar Pozas 2 (2), Elise Swan 2, Fallon Millican 2, Canyon Britt 1

Assists — Emma Pique 2, Isabella Williams 2, Elise Swan 2, Canyon Britt 1

Steals — Emma Pique 8, Isabella Williams 3, Itziar Pozas 3, Addison Hickey 1, Jaila Childress 1, Canyon Britt 1

Blocks — Emma Pique 3

NORTHWEST 87, MILES CC 46

Points — Isabella Williams 21, Emma Pique 18, Addison Hickey 12, Canyon Britt 10, Saige Kidd 7, Elise Swan 6, Jaila Childress 5, Itziar Pozas 4, Fallon Millican 2, Maddie Mills 2

Rebounds — Isabella Williams 12 (1), Addison Hickey 7 (3), Jaila Childress 6 (1), Itziar Pozas 6 (1), Saige Kidd 5 (1), Emma Pique 4 (2), Fallon Millican 4 (1), Elise Swan 3, Maddie Mills 2

Assists — Itziar Pozas 4, Emma Pique 3, Isabella Williams 3, Elise Swan 3, Saige Kidd 2, Addison Hickey 1, Canyon Britt 1, Fallon Millican 1

Steals — Itziar Pozas 5, Isabella Williams 4, Canyon Britt 3, Emma Pique 2, Jaila Childress 1, Elise Swan 1, Fallon Millican 1, Maddie Mills 1, Saige Kidd 1

Blocks — Emma Pique 2

CENTRAL ARIZONA 80, NORTHWEST 73

Points — Addison Hickey 28, Emma Pique 18, Isabella Williams 15, Jaila Childress 6, Itziar Pozas 4, Fallon Millican 2

Rebounds — Addison Hickey 11 (3), Isabella Williams 8 (5), Jaila Childress 4 (2), Elise Swan 3 (1), Itziar Pozas 1, Canyon Britt 1, Madison Kaufman 1

Assists — Itziar Pozas 4, Emma Pique 3, Addison Hickey 1, Isabella Williams 1, Jaila Childress 1

Steals — Itziar Pozas 3, Elise Swan 3, Emma Pique 2, Addison Hickey 1, Isabella Williams 1