TRAPPER MEN LEAP TO SECOND PLACE

BY SETH ROMSA TRIBUNE SPORTS WRITER
Courtesy of the Powell Tribune

The Northwest College men's basketball team leapfrogged its way into second place, defeating Western Wyoming Community College 75-62 on Feb. 25, ending with a four-game winning streak in the regular season.      

NORTHWEST 75, WESTERN WYOMING 62
Ending the regular season in Rock Springs the Trappers (19-11 overall, 8-4 Region IX North) were looking for revenge against the Mustangs (11-18 overall, 4-8 Region IX North).
Both teams matched baskets back-and-forth early, as the two were deadlocked at 7-7 five minutes in.
Scoring continued to be relatively even over the next five minutes, as the Mustangs held a slight advantage over the Trappers up 14-13.
Northwest fought back, and claimed the lead 22-18 on a Trey Rinn layup on the break with five minutes left.
The Trappers extended their lead further, but a 3-pointer at the buzzer cut the gap to 35-29 heading into the locker room.
Northwest tried to push their lead to double-digits, but the Mustangs continued to keep it in single figures as Northwest led 46-39 five minutes into the second half.
"I thought we played pretty well offensively, took good care of the ball. I thought we were solid defensively, it solves a lot of problems when you make shots," coach Andy Ward said.
Logan Woolstenhulme's layup finally stretched the advantage to double-figures, as the Trappers led 58-48 with 10 minutes left in the half.
Western cut the lead to eight with five minutes left, but a 10-5 stretch to end the game gave the Trappers the 75-62 win.
"We've played a lot better in these last four games, and as a result, we've won," Ward said. "We're getting better looks and making them, some of that is a result of solid defense. I think we've done a good job of turning people over and then for the most part taking care of the ball."
Northwest was led by Mateo Trujillo with 14 points. Trey Rinn added 13 alongside Woolstenhulme and Travis Theran Archibald chipped in 12 going 4-4 from 3-point range. 
Nayel Girard led Northwest with five rebounds, and tied for the team lead with three steals alongside Rinn.
Girard, Archibald and Eli Patterson each had a block.    

PLAY-IN GAME
Northwest was unable to get the No. 1 seed heading into the postseason, as Laramie County Community College took the top spot following two wins, including a buzzer-beater Saturday against Eastern Wyoming College.
"We lost it because of our shortcomings in the regular season. You can't sit there and hope another team loses so that you can get a higher seed," Ward said. "We just didn't play well enough in some of those games to earn another win; had we done that, we'd be the No. 1 seed."
The Trappers finished as the No. 2 seed, and will host Region IX South No. 7 seed Western Nebraska Community College (9-21 overall, 5-9 Region IX South) at 3 p.m. on Saturday.
"Very talented, playing up-tempo style. They shoot a lot of threes, press and get after you," Ward said. "We're going to have to do a good job taking care of the ball. Continue to make shots, that always helps things."

NORTHWEST 75, WESTERN WYOMING 62
Total rebounds then offensive rebounds in ()
Points — Mateo Trujillo 14, Trey Rinn 13, Logan Woolstenhulme 13, Travis Theran Archibald 12, Nayel Girard 7, Eli Patterson 7, Braydon Bradshaw 6, R'Zha Zha'Quire Whittle 3
Rebounds — Nayel Girard 5, Trey Rinn 4 (1), Logan Woolstenhulme 4 (1), Braydon Bradshaw 3 (2), R'Zha Zha'Quire Whittle 3 (1), Eli Patterson 2 (1), Mateo Trujillo 1, Travis Theran Archibald 1
Steals — Nayel Girard 3, Trey Rinn 3
Blocks — Nayel Girard 1, Eli Patterson 1, Travis Theran Archibald 1