TRAPPERS ROLL PAST CENTRAL
BY SETH ROMSA TRIBUNE SPORTS WRITER
Courtesy of the Powell Tribune
In a physical battle at home on Thursday, the Northwest College men's basketball team avenged an earlier season loss, defeating Central Wyoming 72-43 to win a third straight game.
NORTHWEST 72, CENTRAL WYOMING 43
Wrapping up a three game home stretch the Trappers (18-8 overall, 6-3 Region IX North) welcomed in the Rustlers (8-18 overall, 3-6 Region IX North) and were looking to avenge an earlier 55-52 road loss in January.
Northwest got off to a strong start for the third straight game, quickly building a 7-0 lead over the first two minutes.
Preston Condie helped the Trappers garner a double digit lead early, as his layup made it 14-4 with 14:40 remaining.
Central worked its way back into the game over the next 3:20, cutting Northwest's advantage down to a single possession as the Trappers led 18-15 with 11:21 left.
"They're physical, they're scrappy," coach Andy Ward said. "And I felt like in preparation for this week we had to emphasize that, that we're going to have to be as tough or tougher than them."
The Trappers found their scoring again over the final eight minutes of the half, making it a double digit game after a Trey Rinn 3-pointer with just under four minutes left made it 29-17.
Northwest's late push made it a comfortable lead going into the locker room as the hosts led 37-24 after a late jumper from Colin Hayes.
In the second half the Trappers kept pushing, making it a 21 point game after another Hayes jumper with 14:35 remaining to go up 49-28.
"I thought we played the first half with a lot of energy, we came out in the second half and that was one of the things I said to them at halftime is that we have to ratchet it up, not let down," Ward said. "And I thought we did that. We stayed aggressive defensively and we made shots. That always helps, but that game was won on the defensive end of the floor."
That advantage held until the midway point of the half, and extended further to 59-34 with 7:41 remaining.
The lead pushed over 30 points on a Rinn dunk with four minutes remaining, and the Trappers cruised to a 72-43 win.
"He's (Rinn) played well on both ends of the floor, he gives us a toughness defensively, he's usually in the right spot," Ward said. "Then on the offensive end, when teams collapse and he's knocking down threes, they (teams) have to pick their poison."
Hayes led with 16 points just ahead of Rinn with 15 as the only two in double figures.
Drew Larson led with seven rebounds and Tessi Thong had the most assists with five.
FINAL STRETCH
Heading into the final two weeks of the season the Trapper men have nearly locked up a top spot in the conference and have a lot to play for over the final three games.
That stretch of games started on Wednesday night in Casper (19-6 overall, 6-2 Region IX North). That result was determined after the press deadline.
It will continue this weekend as the Trappers head down to Rock Springs to take on Western Wyoming (12-14 overall, 3-5 Region IX North) at 4 p.m. on Saturday.
"A win there (Western) would probably mean that we're at least third and hosting a play-in game," Ward said. "But there's a lot of basketball to be played."
NORTHWEST 72, CENTRAL WYOMING 43
Total rebounds then offensive rebounds in ()
Points — Colin Hayes 16, Trey Rinn 15, Drew Larson 8, Kaden Christensen 7, Tessi Thong 6, Preston Condie 6, Tate Monroe 6, Carter Clark 4, Eli Patterson 4
Rebounds — Drew Larson 7, Eli Patterson 5 (2), Preston Condie 4 (1), Carter Clark 4, Trey Rinn 3 (1), Kaden Christensen 3, Tate Monroe 2, Tessi Thong 1, Colin Hayes 1
Assists — Tessi Thong 5, Tate Monroe 4, Preston Condie 3, Drew Larson 3, Trey Rinn 1, Colin Hayes 1, Kaden Christensen 1, Carter Clark 1
Steals — Trey Rinn 2, Tessi Thong 1, Drew Larson 1, Eli Patterson 1
Blocks — Eli Patterson 1