A strong first quarter was not enough to carry the Northwest College women’s basketball team to an upset victory over No. 21-ranked Casper College, as turnovers and rebounding doomed the Trappers in a 72-55 home loss on Saturday.

CASPER COLLEGE 72, NORTHWEST 55

Opening up Region IX play at home the Trappers (13-8 overall, 0-1 Region IX North) were looking for a fast start in the hopes of upsetting the Thunderbirds (18-3 overall, 1-0 Region IX North).

Both teams exchanged baskets throughout the first quarter, but the Trappers never led and trailed 20-17 heading into the second quarter.

A Nayeli Acosta 3-pointer tied the game on the first possession of the second for Northwest, before an 11-0 run over the next five minutes broke open the game for Casper.

Northwest pulled the game within eight but was unable to get any closer and went into the locker room down 40-28.

A strong second half start had the Trappers within eight once again after a Roxanne Rogers 3-pointer, but four straight empty possessions and turnovers for Northwest and five straight baskets by Casper quickly made it 56-38.

“Our main focus was rebounding and turnovers and we didn’t execute either of those,” coach Lauren Davis said.

Turnovers continued to pile up, allowing Casper to extend the lead out to 21 and cruise into the fourth quarter up 64-43.

The Trappers were unable to make any runs late, losing their first home game of the season 72-55 and falling to 0-1 in Region IX play.

Casper College took advantage of 19 turnovers by Northwest, scoring 28 points off those turnovers compared to three scored by the Trappers on seven turnovers.

“It was our first conference game, the girls were nervous and I think they realized that everyone is going to give us their best effort,” Davis said. “Casper’s sophomores acted like they had been there before, we only have two sophomores. I think nerves played a big part and a lot of our turnovers were unforced.”

Kamber Good Luck led the Trappers with 13 in her return to action, with Rogers and Darla Hernandez each finishing with 12 as the other double-figure scorers.

REGION PLAY CONTINUES

Northwest continued its early Region IX play on the road in Torrington against Eastern Wyoming (4-14 overall, 0-1 Region IX North) on Wednesday.

“Our main focus is remembering at the end that this is the game we love,” Davis said. “Our main focus is having fun, but one game at a time. Of course we want to do well in conference play, be first in the region and all these things, but we need to stay locked into what we do best. That’s our team chemistry, having fun together, loving every minute of it and doing it every game.”

That result was determined after press deadline.

The Trappers will return to action at home at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, welcoming Western Wyoming (10-9 overall, 1-0 Region IX North).

After the Western Wyoming game, early scheduled home games for Region IX competition continues next Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. against Laramie County Community College (15-4 overall, 1-0 Region IX North).

CASPER COLLEGE 72, NORTHWEST 55

Total rebounds then offensive rebounds in ()

Points — Kamber Good Luck 13, Roxanne Rogers 12, Darla Hernandez 12, Nayeli Acosta 8, Jimena Montoro-Cabezas 7, Natalyah Nead 3

Rebounds — Jimena Montoro-Cabezas 7, Kamber Good Luck 6 (1), Natalyah Nead 5 (3), Darla Hernandez 4 (1), Nayeli Acosta 3 (1), Roxanne Rogers 2, Yaiza Vacas-Lopez 1 (1), Batoul Khaleefah 1

Assists — Roxanne Rogers 2, Nayeli Acosta 2, Kamber Good Luck 1, Darla Hernandez 1

Steals — Roxanne Rogers 1, Kamber Good Luck 1, Darla Hernandez 1

Blocks — Jimena Montoro-Cabezas 1