Wins have not been easy to come by for the Northwest College men’s basketball team in the early season, but the Trappers have found their groove in early December. Victories over Lake Region State College 78-56 and a 77-49 victory over an All-Star team of former players based out of Utah, mixed with local former players, helped Northwest start its first win streak of the season.

NORTHWEST 78, LAKE REGION 56

Hosting the first game of the weekend the Trappers (5-8) carried momentum from their previous victory as they welcomed the Royals (4-10) from Devils Lake, North Dakota, to Cabre Gym.

The guests came out strong, gaining a small lead over the Trappers 10-5 just over four minutes into the game.

That lead grew to as many as seven, before Northwest got going.

Trailing 16-11, the Trappers went into their full court press and sparked a 12-0 run to establish a 23-16 lead.

“In that game the difference was turnovers,” coach Andy Ward said. “That (press) was the turning point. We got after them in the full court, they created some turnovers and we got easy baskets.”

Northwest then continued to maintain a multiple possession lead, using strong driving to draw fouls and get the Royals in trouble early and often.

A late Trappers push extended the Royals’ misery, making it a double-digit game and establishing a 43-30 lead at halftime.

Early in the second half Northwest scored six straight, continuing to build on the late first half push.

Lake Region tried to rally, but the Trappers never allowed the visitors to close the gap down to single digits midway through the second half.

Krue Stubbs helped Northwest push the lead back out to 16 on a 3-pointer, one of his four 3-pointers on the night for the Trappers.

“Krue is a steady player. One thing he has done a good job of to this point is taking care of the ball,” Ward said. “I want him to be ready to shoot it. He shoots the ball really well from beyond the arc.”

Northwest pushed the score over 20 points late, and finished with a 78-56 victory.

Unfortunately for the Trappers, leading scorer Milton Rodriguez Santana exited the game with an injury following a dunk attempt. Ward said Santana is currently day-to-day with the injury.

Northwest won by finishing 25-30 at the line compared to 4-8 for Lake Region. This was despite the fact that the Royals shot 48.9% from the field compared to 37.3% for the Trappers.

“We’ve been good at getting to the free throw line,” Ward said. “The aggressor usually wins. If you’re not the aggressor you are probably reacting to everything.”

The Trappers finished with nine turnovers to 23 for the Royals.

Stubbs led with 16 points, just ahead of Kolter Merritt and Colin Hayes who each had 13.

Merritt added five steals while Will Hemme led with five assists.

NORTHWEST 77, ALL-STARS 49

Heading into Saturday the Trappers welcomed an All-Star team based out of Utah, composed of former college players and adding some former local players in Blake Schwan from Powell and Mysen McArthur out of Lovell.

In a game that Ward described as sometimes being difficult to play due to the nature of the game, the Trappers came out strong early and built a 13-6 advantage in the first 3:30.

“Those games can be difficult. I challenged the guys to show some maturity as a team. You’ve gotta come out and play the same way no matter who you are playing,” Ward said.

Northwest pushed the lead out further and built it to double-digits, continuing to hold it around 10 points for most of the first half and holding a 36-25 lead going into the break.

In the second half Northwest pushed the advantage further, building to an 18 point lead at 45-27 under five minutes in.

The lead continued growing until it hit 20, and the Trappers cruised in the second half.

Ending the game tied for the largest advantage of the contest the Trappers finished with a 77-49 win.

Kaden Christensen led with 15 points. Drew Larson finished with 11 points, Hayes with 10 while Will Hemme finished with a 10 point, 12 rebound double-double.

FINAL HOME GAMES BEFORE BREAK

Northwest will stay home to wrap up the action for the first semester, starting with a rematch against Dawson Community College (11-2) at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.

The Trappers previously lost to the Buccaneers 91-67 in Montana in November.

“In game one they really controlled the tempo,” Ward said. “Where they really hurt us last game was on the glass. They got a lot of second shots.”

Northwest will then turn around and play a game against the Northwest College alumni team at 4 p.m. on Saturday.

That will be the final game for the Trappers before the winter break as Northwest will return to Cabre Gym on Tuesday, Jan. 9, against Miles Community College.

NORTHWEST 78, LAKE REGION 56

Total rebounds then offensive rebounds ()

Points — Krue Stubbs 16, Kolter Merritt 13, Colin Hayes 13, Milton Rodriguez Santana 8, Will Hemme 8, Max Postiglione 6, Kaden Christensen 5, Drew Larson 4, Preston Condie 2, Jean Carlo Villanueva 2, Carter Clark 1

Rebounds — Drew Larson 5 (2), Kolter Merritt 4 (2), Milton Rodriguez Santana 3 (3), Will Hemme 3, Krue Stubbs 3 (1), Carter Clark 3, Max Postiglione 3, Kaden Christensen 3 (1), Preston Condie 2, Colin Hayes 2 (1)

Assists — Will Hemme 5, Drew Larson 4, Kaden Christensen 2, Krue Stubbs 1, Carter Clark 1, Max Postiglione 1, Colin Hayes 1

Steals — Kolter Merritt 5, Will Hemme 2, Drew Larson 2, Carter Clark 2, Milton Rodriguez Santana 1, Krue Stubbs 1, Colin Hayes 1, Kaden Christensen 1

Blocks — Colin Hayes 2, Will Hemme 1

NORTHWEST 77, ALL-STARS 49

Points — Kaden Christensen 15, Drew Larson 11, Will Hemme 10, Colin Hayes 10, Krue Stubbs 8, Kolter Merritt 8, Preston Condie 8, Carter Clark 3, Jean Carlo Villanueva 3, Max Postiglione 1

Rebounds — Will Hemme 12, Kolter Merritt 8 (3), Drew Larson 7 (3), Kaden Christensen 6 (1), Max Postiglione 6 (1), Carter Clark 4 (1), Preston Condie 4, Colin Hayes 3 (1), Jean Carlo Villanueva 1

Assists — Kolter Merritt 4, Drew Larson 4, Kaden Christensen 4, Carter Clark 3, Will Hemme 2, Krue Stubbs 2, Colin Hayes 1

Steals — Will Hemme 1, Kolter Merritt 1, Drew Larson 1, Carter Clark 1, Preston Condie 1, Colin Hayes 1