Defense keys sub-region victoryAfter a few nervous moments in the first half, the Northwest College Trappers stepped up their defensive pressure over the final 20 minutes to claim an 85-57 women's basketball victory over Little Big Horn College. “It seemed like we needed to get that one half out of the way,” Trapper head coach Janis Beal said of a first half that saw Little Big Horn head to the locker room with a 29-28 lead. “It was our first game back from the break and it showed at times.”It wasn't that the Trappers didn't have their chances early. Northwest College at various points of the first half held leads of nine and eight points and appeared on the verge of sending the cushion into double figures. Instead, the visiting Rams answered on both occasions, taking their first lead of the game on a shot from the lane just before the halftime buzzer.Little Big Horn added a bucket to open the second half, but Northwest College responded with a 10-point run to grab the lead for good. After a Rams bucket to break the streak, the Trappers erupted for another seven consecutive points to finally send the lead into double digits, where it remained for the rest of the evening. “In the second half, we went out and got after it a bit more on the defensive end,” said Beal. “We played with more intensity, and with this team, so much of our offense comes from our defense. We were able to tip passes and get steals and that created some opportunities for us.”In all, the Trappers threw 57 points onto their side of the scoreboard in the second half. The team produced 20 steals, the bulk of which came over the final 20 minutes. Megan Smith was one of four Trapper players to finish in double figures for the night. Smith knocked down a game-high 24 points and also pulled down eight of Northwest's 44 rebounds. Laura Purina added a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds. The Latvian freshman also accounted for seven Northwest steals. Sharla Stevenson (17 points) and Megan Goodman (14 points) also scored in double figures for NWC. “The thing about Megan is that she really attacks the basket, and she did a great job of that tonight,” said Beal. “She showed her range by hitting some key 3-point buckets, but she also attacked the basket and gave us a spark.”With the win, the Trappers improve to 6-8 this season. The victory also gives Northwest a 1-0 mark in sub-region play. Northwest College hosts Western Wyoming on Friday night for its next hardwood action.

Defense keys sub-region victory

After a few nervous moments in the first half, the Northwest College Trappers stepped up their defensive pressure over the final 20 minutes to claim an 85-57 women's basketball victory over Little Big Horn College.

“It seemed like we needed to get that one half out of the way,” Trapper head coach Janis Beal said of a first half that saw Little Big Horn head to the locker room with a 29-28 lead. “It was our first game back from the break and it showed at times.”

It wasn't that the Trappers didn't have their chances early. Northwest College at various points of the first half held leads of nine and eight points and appeared on the verge of sending the cushion into double figures. Instead, the visiting Rams answered on both occasions, taking their first lead of the game on a shot from the lane just before the halftime buzzer.

Little Big Horn added a bucket to open the second half, but Northwest College responded with a 10-point run to grab the lead for good. After a Rams bucket to break the streak, the Trappers erupted for another seven consecutive points to finally send the lead into double digits, where it remained for the rest of the evening.

“In the second half, we went out and got after it a bit more on the defensive end,” said Beal. “We played with more intensity, and with this team, so much of our offense comes from our defense. We were able to tip passes and get steals and that created some opportunities for us.”

In all, the Trappers threw 57 points onto their side of the scoreboard in the second half. The team produced 20 steals, the bulk of which came over the final 20 minutes.

Megan Smith was one of four Trapper players to finish in double figures for the night. Smith knocked down a game-high 24 points and also pulled down eight of Northwest's 44 rebounds. Laura Purina added a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds. The Latvian freshman also accounted for seven Northwest steals.

Sharla Stevenson (17 points) and Megan Goodman (14 points) also scored in double figures for NWC.

“The thing about Megan is that she really attacks the basket, and she did a great job of that tonight,” said Beal.

“She showed her range by hitting some key 3-point buckets, but she also attacked the basket and gave us a spark.”

With the win, the Trappers improve to 6-8 this season. The victory also gives Northwest a 1-0 mark in sub-region play. Northwest College hosts Western Wyoming on Friday night for its next hardwood action.