Setting out on one of its longest road trips the Northwest College women’s basketball team split its first contests of the season in Idaho, losing to No. 4-ranked Eastern Arizona 70-45 before defeating the Southern Idaho All-Stars 63-48.

EASTERN ARIZONA 70, NORTHWEST 45

Kicking off their season against the No. 4 team in the country the Trappers (1-1) played well for a majority of the contest against the Gila Monsters (1-1), but one quarter proved to be the difference.

In the first quarter Northwest went blow for blow with the top rated team, trailing 12-11 heading into the second.

That is when disaster struck for the Trappers.

It was a difficult quarter as point guard Bianca Silva got in foul trouble and turnovers piled up as the Gila Monsters took advantage and outscored Northwest 23-5 to take a commanding 35-16 lead at the break.

“It was frustrating because all we talked about in the huddle was to keep competing and don’t turn the ball over,” coach Cody Helenbolt said. “Then we probably had 12 turnovers in that quarter alone. Some of it was their defense is really good, really physical which disrupted us a little bit. Then Bianca got in foul trouble, so when you lose your point guard that makes it a little tougher.”

After Eastern Arizona started the third on a scoring run, Northwest responded to even the third quarter scoring and trailed 50-31 heading into the fourth.

The Trappers got as close as 16, but the Gila Monsters put the contest away with a 70-45 win.

“Obviously we wanted to compete the whole game, and I think we did that outside of the one quarter,” Helenbolt said. “Three out of four, it’s a good thing to talk about with them. It’s OK, we met our goal in three out of the four quarters, now that’s not going to be good enough. We’ve got to do what we’re supposed to do for four quarters.”

Silva led with 23 points and tied for the team lead in steals with two alongside Emma Pique.

NORTHWEST 63, SOUTHERN IDAHO ALL-STARS 48

After the loss on Friday the Trappers turned their attention to an unexpected opponent, taking on the Southern Idaho All-Stars, a team composed of former college players.

“It’s funny because they told me ‘hey, you’re playing the All-Star team, but they might be better than the team you were supposed to play anyway,’” Helenbolt said.

Northwest came out strong, building a 19-10 advantage after the first quarter.

The Trappers immediately pushed it to double digits to start the second quarter, and held onto that advantage with a 34-19 lead at the break.

After halftime Northwest did not allow the All-Stars to get back into the contest, extending the lead to 19 at 48-29.

It reached as many as 26 points after a Taylee Carlson 3-pointer with 7:04 left, before a late push by the All-Stars cut the final deficit to 63-48.

“It felt good to get a win. Just get that one under our belt,” Helenbolt said.

Silva led with 14 points and seven assists while tying for the team lead in rebounds with seven alongside Sydnee Harris.

Jai’La Porter was the other Trapper in double digits with 10 points.

Carolina Ruiz added six assists, Silva and Kelsi Nicholson tied for the team lead with three steals and Carlson led with two blocks.

BUSY WEEK

Northwest will return closer to home this weekend, heading to Riverton to take part in the Rustler Classic Tournament.

The Trappers will take on Treasure Valley Community College (0-0) out of Oregon at 1 p.m. on Friday, and Clarendon College (2-0) out of Texas at 10 a.m. on Saturday.

“I think if we just execute and compete defensively and do what we’re supposed to do and then take care of the ball, I think we’re going to be tough to beat,” Helenbolt said. “Basically playing complimentary basketball, taking it away on defense and keeping it on offense.”

Northwest will then return home to play in Cabre Gym for the first time this season on Tuesday, taking on Miles Community College (0-3) at 5:30 p.m.

EASTERN ARIZONA 70, NORTHWEST 45

Total rebounds then solo rebounds in ()

Points — Bianca Silva 23, Carolina Ruiz 7, Tayva Phillips 4, Taylee Carlson 3, Jai’La Porter 2, Sydnee Harris 2, Elise Swan 2, Bella Yates 2

Rebounds — Tayva Phillips 3 (1), Sydnee Harris 3, Elise Swan 2 (1), Bella Yates 2 (1), Kelsi Nicholson 2 (1), Taylee Carlson 2, Carolina Ruiz 2, Emma Pique 1, Jai’La Porter 1, Bianca Silva 1, Selen Ucak 1

Assists — Emma Pique 1, Jai’La Porter 1, Carolina Ruiz 1

Steals — Emma Pique 2, Bianca Silva 2, Tayva Phillips 1, Kelsi Nicholson 1, Carolina Ruiz 1

Blocks — Sydnee Harris 1, Taylee Carlson 1

NORTHWEST 63, SOUTHERN IDAHO ALL-STARS 48

Points — Bianca Silva 14, Jai’La Porter 10, Kelsi Nicholson 8, Carolina Ruiz 8, Emma Pique 7, Taylee Carlson 6, Sydnee Harris 5, Selen Ucak 3, Tayva Phillips 2

Rebounds — Sydnee Harris 7 (2), Bianca Silva 7 (3), Jai’La Porter 6 (4), Taylee Carlson 6 (1), Kelsi Nicholson 4 (2), Emma Pique 3 (1), Tayva Phillips 3 (1), Elise Swan 2, Bella Yates 1

Assists — Bianca Silva 7, Carolina Ruiz 6, Emma Pique 1, Tayva Phillips 1, Jai’La Porter 1, Elise Swan 1

Steals — Bianca Silva 3, Kelsi Nicholson 3, Emma Pique 2, Elise Swan 2, Carolina Ruiz 2, Tayva Phillips 1, Jai’La Porter 1, Selen Ucak 1, Taylee Carlson 1

Blocks — Taylee Carlson 2