A long trip to North Dakota had the Northwest women’s basketball team in a battle against Williston State to open its season, as they defeated the Tetons through a strong second half surge in a 69-66 victory.

Not having size proved to be a problem early for the Trappers, as 6-foot-5-inch center Yasmin Butler came off the bench for Williston and scored 11 points in the first half.

Inexperience with an almost entirely new roster also shined through early for the Trappers, who shot 35% from the field as a team in the first half and trailed by double digits for a majority of the half.

Coming out of the break the young Trappers found their footing, shooting 14-of-16 from the field as a team in the third, paced by eight points from Natalyah Nead to take a 53-49 lead into the fourth quarter.

Northwest pushed the lead out to as many as 10, but needed to hold off a charge from the hosts in the final minutes.

After Williston State tied the game with 2:04 left, Roxanne Rogers gave Northwest the lead back at the free throw line.

A jump shot by Jimena Montoro-Cabezas made it 67-63 and two more free throws from Rogers iced the game for the Trappers.

Northwest continued to maintain that small lead, and allowed the Tetons only one 3-pointer for the game, which came in the final minute to make it 69-66.

Darla Hernandez led the way for Northwest with 17, followed by Montoro-Cabezas with 14 and Nead with 12.

HOME OPENER

Unlike last season the Trappers will not have to wait until December for their home opener, as they welcome the Rocky Mountain JV to Cabre Gym on Friday at 1 p.m.

“We are grinding it out and you can see players developing and gaining more confidence,” coach Lauren Davis said.

She said the team is starting to figure each other out as they head into games after the preseason in October.

Davis said the team is looking forward to the season and wants to continue to get better every day while building towards the Region IX tournament.

Heading into her second season at the helm Davis said it is easier for her since every girl on the team this year is her recruit and she knows she has a strong system around her at the college.

Davis said sophomores Hernandez and Nayeli Acosta have come into the season and set a good example for the newcomers this year.

“They know my expectations and I think they do a good job of implementing that every day,” Davis said. “They do that day in and day out without even having to say anything and the freshmen have followed that. Nayeli especially has found her voice a little more.”

NORTHWEST 69, WILLISTON STATE 66

Points — Darla Hernandez 17, Jimena Montoro-Cabezas 14, Natalyah Nead 12, Yaiza Vacas-Lopez 7, Nayeli Acosta 5, Roxanne Rogers 4, Batoul Khaleefah 4, Marin Abe 3, Kamber Goodluck 3

Rebounds — Nayeli Acosta 7, Darla Hernandez 4, Jimena Montoro-Cabezas 2, Batoul Khaleefah 2, Kamber Goodluck 2

Assists — Roxanne Rogers 3, Jimena Montoro-Cabezas 3, Batoul Khaleefah 2, Nayeli Acosta 1, Darla Hernandez 1, Natalyah Nead 1, Kamber Goodluck 1

Steals — Jimena Montoro-Cabezas 2, Kamber Goodluck 2, Darla Hernandez 1

Blocks — Kamber Goodluck 1