The Northwest College men’s basketball team battled back but lost a difficult matchup to Dawson Community College 86-78 on Friday before defeating the Northwest College Alumni team 86-65 on Saturday to wrap up action at home before the winter break.

DAWSON CC 86, NORTHWEST 78

In a second matchup of the teams this season the Trappers (6-9) were looking for revenge against the Buccaneers (12-2) after a 24-point defeat in November.

Neither team gained a significant advantage early, but after Northwest took an 11-9 lead seven minutes in, the Buccaneers went on a run.

Over the next four minutes the visitors outscored the Trappers 17-2 and gained a 26-13 advantage.

Northwest battled back and tightened the game late in the half, after a 14-5 scoring stretch made it 31-27 with two minutes left.

A tight finish to the half had the Trappers trailing, going into the locker room down 37-32.

Both teams exchanged baskets early, before Northwest went on an 8-0 run to reclaim the lead up 49-48 after a Drew Larson basket.

Northwest held onto that lead and grew it to as many as four up 59-55 with 9:33 remaining.

Dawson responded, going on a 15-0 run over the next five minutes and building a 70-59 advantage.

“They (Dawson) made some big plays during that run,” coach Andy Ward said. “We had a stretch where we came up empty on the offensive side whether it be not executing or turning the ball over.”

Northwest did not roll over, bouncing back and bringing the game back to 74-71 with 1:51 left, but Dawson answered with a 3-pointer and re-established the two possession lead.

“We went into our zone which bothered them a bit, but we had a bit more difficulty rebounding out of it,” Ward said.

The Trappers were unable to get back within one possession, and fell 86-78.

Kolter Merritt led with 18 points and 14 rebounds for a double-double along with four blocks and five assists.

“He’s been amazing,” Ward said. “He’s shooting the ball pretty well and rebounding the ball exceptionally well. He takes charges, rebounds and runs the floor. He’s a stat stuffer, he gets in every category.”

Will Hemme finished with 15 points and led with six assists. Colin Hayes was the other Trapper in double-figures with 16.

NORTHWEST 86, NWC ALUMNI 65

After the loss Friday night the Trappers turned around to take on the Northwest College Alumni before the winter break.

“It was great to see those guys come back,” Ward said. “It’s great to see that support from our alumni coming back. We love seeing them back on campus and involved with Trapper athletics.”

The alumni came out firing, building a seven point lead up 13-6 four minutes into the contest.

That lead continued to 21-14 before the Trappers went on a 10-0 run and claimed a three point lead.

Northwest continued to push ahead, building the lead to a double-digit advantage up 38-27 with three minutes left in the half.

Unfortunately for Northwest, its second leading scorer Merritt went out with an injury with two minutes left and did not return to the game.

The Trappers had one final push against the alumni before the half, finishing with a Preston Condie basket with seconds remaining to make it 48-29 at the break.

After the break the alumni came out firing again, cutting the lead down to 52-44 over the first five minutes of the half.

The Trappers held off any comeback attempt by not allowing the alumni closer than six before re-establishing a double-digit lead after a quick 8-0 run with eight minutes left in the game.

Northwest cruised over the final eight minutes and finished with an 86-65 win over the alumni.

Max Postiglione finished with 16 points to lead, Merritt had 15 points before his injury, Hemme had 14 points and seven assists, Krue Stubbs had 13 points and Hayes had a 13 point, 12 rebound double double.

WINTER BREAK

Throughout the early season there has been steady improvement from the Trapper men as they head into the winter break with a 6-9 record.

Ward said that when the team returns, they will focus on continuing that improvement before heading into Region IX play in the middle of January.

“We are going to focus on continuing to refine and get better,” Ward said. “We have to get better defensively and rebound the basketball. That’s an area we have room for improvement.”

Northwest will return to game action on Jan. 9, hosting Miles Community College in one of the final two non-conference games of the season.

DAWSON CC 86, NORTHWEST 78

Total rebounds then offensive rebounds in ()

Points — Kolter Merritt 18, Colin Hayes 16, Will Hemme 15, Drew Larson 9, Krue Stubbs 8, Max Postiglione 6, Preston Condie 6

Rebounds — Kolter Merritt 14 (2), Drew Larson 4, Carter Clark 3, Preston Condie 3 (2), Krue Stubbs 2, Will Hemme 1, Colin Hayes 1 (1)

Assists — Will Hemme 6, Kolter Merritt 5, Drew Larson 4, Max Postiglione 2, Krue Stubbs 1, Carter Clark 1

Steals — Will Hemme 3, Kolter Merritt 2, Colin Hayes 2, Krue Stubbs 1, Carter Clark 1

Blocks — Kolter Merritt 4, Will Hemme 1

NORTHWEST 86, NWC ALUMNI 65

Points — Max Postiglione 16, Kolter Merritt 15, Will Hemme 14, Krue Stubbs 13, Colin Hayes 13, Drew Larson 8, Preston Condie 6, Carter Clark 1

Rebounds — Drew Larson 12 (3), Preston Condie 9, Kolter Merritt 6 (2), Krue Stubbs 4 (1), Will Hemme 3, Colin Hayes 3 (1), Carter Clark 3, Max Postiglione 3, Jean Carlo Villanueva 1

Assists — Will Hemme 7, Drew Larson 5, Carter Clark 5, Colin Hayes 4, Krue Stubbs 1, Max Postiglione 1, Preston Condie 1, Jean Carlo Villanueva 1

Steals — Drew Larson 2, Colin Hayes 2, Kolter Merritt 1, Carter Clark 1, Max Postiglione 1, Preston Condie 1

Blocks — Drew Larson 1, Colin Hayes 1