LATE PUSH DRIVES TRAPPER WOMEN PAST MILES

A fourth quarter run helped propel the Northwest College women's basketball team to a victory over Miles Community College to start the new year, overcoming a difficult shooting night to finish with a 58-47 win on Tuesday.    

NORTHWEST 58, MILES CC 47
Starting the new year in Cabre Gym the Trappers (10-6) were looking to complete the season sweep of the visiting Pioneers (4-12) after winning the previous contest 77-66.

Early on, baskets were few and far between for both teams with the visitors holding a 7-4 advantage six minutes into the game.

Late in the quarter the Trappers took their first lead 12-10 on a Bianca Silva basket before the Pioneers tied the game at 12 heading into the second quarter.

Bad turnovers plagued Northwest to start the second, with Miles taking a 17-14 lead.

Both teams were still unable to find consistent offense, and the Pioneers continued to hold the lead late in the half.

An intentional foul led to free throws by Roxanne Rogers and Tyne Killip added two of her own in the bonus to give Northwest a narrow 24-21 lead at the break.

"I know that going into the half we were 2-10 from the 3-point line," coach Lauren Davis said. "I tried to emphasize getting into the paint. Driving and kicking, not taking the first shot you have open. We wanted to try and get in rhythm shots since we hadn't played in awhile."

In the third quarter the Northwest offense improved, but the hosts were unable to break away.

The Trappers built and maintained a 7-9 point lead, but were unable to push the advantage to double digits and led 35-26 going into the fourth.

Northwest continued to maintain its edge early in the fourth quarter, before a push from the visitors cut it down to a single possession at 41-39 midway through the frame.

A 3-pointer by Kamalani Anitielu out of a timeout helped spark the Trappers, and key plays followed.

A couple of those came when Isabella Gurie scored, blocked a shot on defense, then hustled to the other end to score on the fast break to build a larger advantage at 48-41.

"When I put Isabella in I felt like she was a spark," Davis said.

Tayva Phillips then scored on the fast break, before Rogers helped cap off the strong run by the Trappers.

Rogers hit a 3-pointer to stretch the lead to double-digits for the first time at 53-41, before blocking a shot of her own and then hitting another 3-pointer in transition to give Northwest a strong advantage with just over two minutes left.

"Roxanne hitting shots she normally hits was huge," Davis said. 

The Trappers finished strong behind an 8-14 (57.1%) shooting performance in the fourth quarter for a 58-47 win.

Rogers had 10 of her team-high 16 points in the fourth quarter, Anna Knight led with seven rebounds, Phillips led with four assists and Silva led with eight steals.   

FINAL NON-CONFERENCE GAME
Northwest will remain at home on Friday, capping off its eight game homestand that started at the end of November.

That final contest will come against the Rocky Mountain JV, starting at 5:30 p.m. at Cabre Gym. Northwest defeated the Battlin' Bears 80-51 in late November.

"It wasn't close last time but they have capable shooters and players. We have to come ready to go," Davis said.

The game against the Battlin' Bears will be the final non-conference game for the Trappers, before heading on the road to start Region IX play on Jan. 19 and 20.    

NORTHWEST 58, MILES CC 47
Total rebounds then offensive rebounds in ()
Points — Roxanne Rogers 16, Bianca Silva 9, Tayva Phillips 8, Kamalani Anitielu 7, Carolina Ruiz 6, Tyne Killip 4, Isabella Gurie 4, Anna Knight 2, Selen Ucak 2
Rebounds — Anna Knight 7 (4), Tayva Phillips 5, Roxanne Rogers 4 (1), Kamalani Anitielu 4, Tyne Killip 3 (1), Bianca Silva 3, Isabella Gurie 3 (1), Carolina Ruiz 2, Selen Ucak 2, Kelsi Nicholson 1
Assists — Tayva Phillips 4, Tyne Killip 2, Carolina Ruiz 2, Bianca Silva 1, Isabella Gurie 1
Steals — Bianca Silva 8, Tayva Phillips 3, Roxanne Rogers 2, Tyne Killip 1, Kamalani Anitielu 1
Blocks — Roxanne Rogers 2, Tyne Killip 1, Isabella Gurie 1