The Trapper women’s basketball team began its season on the road in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, this week and faced some tough competition. The young Northwest College squad came up against a No. 14-ranked Western Nebraska squad on Monday, losing 82-62, and fell to Northeastern Junior College on Tuesday 68-52.

Western Nebraska 82, NWC 62

On Monday, the Trappers began the game with pace, jumping out to a 17-10 lead midway through the first quarter. However, turnovers quickly plagued the Trappers (0-2) as constant full-court pressure from Western Nebraska (1-0) caused eight turnovers in the first period. The Cougars scored 11 points off those turnovers to keep the game close in the early going, with Northwest leading 20-18 after one quarter.

The game was tied at 26 with just over six minutes remaining in the first half, but a free throw by freshman Nayeli Acosta would be the Trapper’s last point of the half, as Western Nebraska finished the half on a 13-0 run to lead 39-26 going into the break.

The second half did not get any easier for the Trappers.

Constant pressure from Western Nebraska guard Ale’jah Douglas allowed her to get transition baskets at the other end, while her quickness put pressure on the Trapper defense in the lane. 

“There is no adjustment for her,” Trapper coach Lauren Davis said of Douglas. “She was the main focus of our scouting and we did not execute our scouting report.”

Douglas finished with 27 points for the Cougars on 11-of-21 shooting.

After committing 14 turnovers in the first half, the Trappers committed 10 in the third quarter alone as they looked to get back into the game.

“It boils down to a lot of freshmen on the team that have not seen pressure like that before,” Davis said. “All we can do is prepare for it harder next time and be ready to go.”

The second half came with improved shooting, as Northwest was able to pull the game back to single digits at 59-50.

The Trappers were led throughout the game by Acosta, who scored 18 points. She went 7-for-9 from the line but 4-for-14 from the field.

With Northwest trailing 63-50 going into the fourth quarter, the Trappers continued to battle until the end of the game, pulling back within 69-57 midway through the period. However, the Cougars would end the game on a 13-5 run to put away the Trappers. NWC finished with 31 turnovers, which led to 38 Cougar points.

“In our region you have to be ready for every game day in and day out,” Davis said.

Northeastern 68, NWC 52

Coming off their matchup on Monday, the Trappers stayed in Scottsbluff to take on an improved Northeastern team.

On Tuesday, Northeastern (3-1) came out firing, taking an 11-0 lead before the Trappers were able to find the net.

NWC found its footing to trail 18-11 heading into the second period.

After their 31 turnovers on Monday night, the Trappers came out with a renewed focus on the press break; Davis said they talked about the importance of passing out of the press break as opposed to dribbling out.

The Trappers battled their way back to 28-20, but were unable to take the lid off the basket at times. Despite breaking Northeastern’s 2-3 zone, they missed open shots to trail 32-20 at halftime.

“At the end of the day, the shots were not falling,” Davis said.

The Trappers started the second half on a 12-6 run, forcing turnovers from Northeastern that led to open buckets. Sophomore Kierra Cutright hit one to bring the Trappers within six at 38-32.

With the press break set up better in the second half, the Trappers inched within five points, but a foul by freshman Kiana Quintero and a subsequent technical foul allowed Northeastern to hold a 51-43 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Northeastern opened the final period on a 7-2 run to take a 13-point lead and hold off any NWC rally.

The Trappers dropped their second contest 68-52.

Road trip

The NWC women will not get much rest, as they will again head on the road to Riverton on Friday and Saturday for the Central Wyoming College Tournament. 

Northwest will get another chance to take down Western Nebraska, as they will face the Cougars Friday night with a 5:30 p.m. tip-off.

The Trappers then turn around on Saturday to take on Lamar Community College, with the time to be announced.

After the tournament in Riverton, the Trappers will head on a three-game road swing through Montana on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Davis is hoping her team can learn from their matchups on Monday and Tuesday, and work on their efficiency and intensity as they look to capitalize on the early season.