NWC tops Miles, Gillette The Northwest College women's basketball team got to bask in the glow of back-to-back wins on the hardwood this weekend after defeating Miles Community College by a 64-55 count on Friday night and Gillette, 71-65, on Saturday. “We haven't been able to do this much this year, so it feels good,” said Northwest College women's basketball coach Janis Beal, who improved to 11-15 in her first season at the helm of the Trappers' program. “Friday's win was very big for us because it puts us in third place in the sub-region.”The Trappers grabbed control against Miles behind the strength of 58-percent shooting in the first half and a tenacious defensive effort that limited Miles to just 26 first-half points. Northwest managed to connect for just six shots from the floor after intermission, but also converted on 15 of its 18 free-throw attempts to prevent a Pioneer rally. The Trappers' defense also turned in a stout performance over the final 20 minutes, forcing 28 turnovers from Miles for the game. Megan Smith had 23 points to lead all scorers in the contest. Megan Goodman added 17 in support as Northwest cracked double figures in the win column for the season. On Saturday, the Trappers shook off a slow start with a late 9-0 first-half run to pull within 29-27 at the half against Gillette. The Pronghorn lead was short-lived in the final half. The Trappers uncorked an early 10-0 run to take the lead for good. Although the Trappers never trailed after the 16-minute mark, the team's lead was never entirely secure. “We tried to give it some nervous moments there, especially at the end,” said Beal. “We knocked down enough free throws down the stretch to hold on.”Northwest also shot 52 percent from the floor on the way to outscoring Gillette 44-36 in the second half. Laura Purina finished with a game-high 23 points to lead all scorers and added five assists. Kati Oliverson added 15 points, many of them early as the Trappers were desperately searching for a spark.“We were fortunate to be within two points at halftime,” said Beal. “We came out a bit sluggish. Friday was a big win for us emotionally and I think it took us a while to get going against Gillette. Kati took the ball to the basket a few times and that helped keep us in it until we found our stride.”Smith and McKenzie Garrett also finished in double figures for the Trapper women, ending the night with 12 and 10 points, respectively. As a team, Northwest College forced Gillette into committing 34 turnovers, including 14 steals. The Trappers will go after a third consecutive win on the road Tuesday night when the team travels to Sheridan. Northwest wraps up the regular season with home games against Central Wyoming on Thursday and Casper College on Saturday.

NWC tops Miles, Gillette

The Northwest College women's basketball team got to bask in the glow of back-to-back wins on the hardwood this weekend after defeating Miles Community College by a 64-55 count on Friday night and Gillette, 71-65, on Saturday.

“We haven't been able to do this much this year, so it feels good,” said Northwest College women's basketball coach Janis Beal, who improved to 11-15 in her first season at the helm of the Trappers' program. “Friday's win was very big for us because it puts us in third place in the sub-region.”

The Trappers grabbed control against Miles behind the strength of 58-percent shooting in the first half and a tenacious defensive effort that limited Miles to just 26 first-half points. Northwest managed to connect for just six shots from the floor after intermission, but also converted on 15 of its 18 free-throw attempts to prevent a Pioneer rally. The Trappers' defense also turned in a stout performance over the final 20 minutes, forcing 28 turnovers from Miles for the game.

Megan Smith had 23 points to lead all scorers in the contest. Megan Goodman added 17 in support as Northwest cracked double figures in the win column for the season.

On Saturday, the Trappers shook off a slow start with a late 9-0 first-half run to pull within 29-27 at the half against Gillette. The Pronghorn lead was short-lived in the final half. The Trappers uncorked an early 10-0 run to take the lead for good.

Although the Trappers never trailed after the 16-minute mark, the team's lead was never entirely secure.

“We tried to give it some nervous moments there, especially at the end,” said Beal. “We knocked down enough free throws down the stretch to hold on.”

Northwest also shot 52 percent from the floor on the way to outscoring Gillette 44-36 in the second half. Laura Purina finished with a game-high 23 points to lead all scorers and added five assists. Kati Oliverson added 15 points, many of them early as the Trappers were desperately searching for a spark.

“We were fortunate to be within two points at halftime,” said Beal. “We came out a bit sluggish. Friday was a big win for us emotionally and I think it took us a while to get going against Gillette. Kati took the ball to the basket a few times and that helped keep us in it until we found our stride.”

Smith and McKenzie Garrett also finished in double figures for the Trapper women, ending the night with 12 and 10 points, respectively. As a team, Northwest College forced Gillette into committing 34 turnovers, including 14 steals.

The Trappers will go after a third consecutive win on the road Tuesday night when the team travels to Sheridan.

Northwest wraps up the regular season with home games against Central Wyoming on Thursday and Casper College on Saturday.