In both of Northwest College women’s basketball’s last two games, the first quarter proved to be the difference.

The Trappers built on a quick start Thursday to defeat Western Wyoming 80-67 at home, but an early drought proved costly against Eastern Wyoming on the road Saturday in their 78-62 defeat. Now almost halfway through the Region IX slate, NWC is 2-2 in league play. 

Northwest outscored WWCC 24-13 in the first quarter, fueled by strong play in transition and efficient shooting.

“We were ready to go,” NWC head coach Camden Levett said. “We shot it pretty well, and that helped us get ahead.”

Though the Trappers’ efficiency faltered in the second quarter, scoring just 13 points, they came back from halftime with increased energy, allowing them to coast to the win. It was also one of NWC’s better defensive performances on the year, forcing 28 turnovers.

“That was a big game for us, being back at home,” Levett said. “And it was a good region win.”

Sophomore Samiyah Worrell was NWC’s top scorer with 17 points, while Raquel Turner and Shelby Tarter each added 14. Of the Trappers’ 11 players, 10 scored, and Tatiana Coleman scored nine points off the bench. 

Though Worrell has been Northwest’s best offensive player this year, averaging 13.6 points per game, the team’s offense has been well distributed in almost every game — something the coach treasures. 

“I love our balanced scoring,” Levett said. “Any given day, we can have someone step up for us.”

Contrasting their quick start against the Mustangs, the Trappers’ early offensive struggles were costly Saturday. 

The Lancers led 22-14 after the first quarter, putting NWC in an early hole. Shooting just over 35% from the field, the Trappers were unable to escape this hole. 

In addition to a rough night from the field, NWC struggled at the charity stripe. The team shot 51% from the line, well below Levett’s goal of 70%. 

“We just weren’t getting it done,” Levett said. “We have to shoot better. When you get down, you kind of feel helpless when you’re not making free throws.”

In their first time back in Cabre Gym for practice on Monday, Levett held what he described as a “toughness” practice. Much of the work centered around conditioning and running drills, rather than typical basketball activities.

With Casper College coming to town today (Thursday), toughness is what the Trappers will need. Casper is the No. 4 team in NJCAA Division I, starting Region IX play 4-0. 

Even so, Levett is confident his team can hang with the Thunderbirds if it plays its best basketball.

“They’re a fantastic team,” Levett said. “We just need to be ready to go. If we compete, this team is kind of dangerous.”

Two days later, NWC will host Central Wyoming — Region IX North’s only winless squad — for Saturday’s sophomore night. The Trappers previously defeated CWC in February, escaping with a two-point win. 

In what will certainly be an emotional night, Levett said he wants to focus playing four good quarters of basketball and then celebrating the accomplishments of his sophomore class. 

“We just have to take care of business,” Levett said. 

Northwest 80, Western Wyoming 67

Points — Samiyah Worrell 17, Raquel Turner 14, Shelby Tarter 14, Tatiana Coleman 9, Sydney Prather 8, Riley Aiono 6, Kierra Cutright 4, Celina Tress 3, Hidaya Thornton 3, Adela Smutna 2;

Rebounds — Worrell 7, Cutright 5, Tarter 3, Aiono 3, Coleman 3, Turner 2, Tress 2, Thornton 2, Prather 1, Hannah Harris 1, Smutna 1;

Assists — Turner 5, Cutright 5;

Steals — Cutright 4

Eastern Wyoming 78, Northwest 62

Points — Worrell 18, Aiono 14, Turner 6, Smutna 6, Cutright 6, Tarter 5, Prather 3, Coleman 2, Tress 1, Thornton 1;

Rebounds — Aiono 7, Coleman 5, Tarter 5, Prather 5, Worrell 5, Turner 3, Tress 3, Cutright 3, Smutna 1, Thornton 1