Trapper men’s basketball coach Jay Collins feels like his team let two games slip away on the road over the weekend in Bismarck, North Dakota.

Northwest College came back from an 18-point deficit to force overtime Friday night before falling 105-99 to Bismarck State College, then couldn’t quite close the deal in a nip and tuck battle with United Tribes Saturday. The Trappers lost 99-96 to United Tribes to drop to 7-8 for the season at the holiday break.

“I’m still proud of these guys. Proud of their effort,” Collins said. “We need to get better defensively.”

Bismarck State 105, Trappers 99

Northwest trailed badly against Bismarck State before mounting a comeback in the second half.  A basket by Kyle Brown with about 15 seconds left in regulation drew the Trappers even, 92-92, and headed to overtime.

In the extra period, Bismarck got the upper hand and sealed the win at the free throw line. NWC beat the Mystics 104-84 at the Cabre Gym in November.

“It’s a team we should have beaten,” Collins said. “We fought back, and I was happy about that. We learned we have it in us to fight back.”

Brown led the Trappers in scoring with 35 points. Also scoring in double figures were Max Dehon with 16, Josh Petteno with 15 and Jerome Mabry with 12.

United Tribes 99, Trappers 96

The two teams were never separated by more than six points in a back and forth contest.

“They made a few more plays down the stretch than we did,” Collins summed up.

Brown again paced scoring for the Trappers with 28 points; Mabry added 20 and Petteno 11.

“Josh [Petteno] got in foul trouble and sat on the bench quite a bit,” Collins said. “Our offense needs Kyle [Brown] and Josh out there.”

The Trappers are off for the holidays now until a rare Sunday game on Jan. 5, when they host Williston State College.

“We have that one tune-up game before we’re into Region IX North play,” he said.

The conference season begins with a home game on Jan. 8 against Laramie County Community College, as the Cheyenne-based team visits Cabre Gym.