BATTLES TILL THE END

BY SETH ROMSA TRIBUNE SPORTS WRITER
Courtesy of the Powell Tribune

A nearly completed comeback along with a last-second victory highlighted a challenging week for the Northwest College men's basketball team, as the Trappers' rally fell short at home to Western Wyoming Community College 62-57 last Wednesday before escaping with a 60-58 win over Gillette College on Saturday.    

WESTERN WYOMING 62, NORTHWEST 57
Starting at home the Trappers (14-8 overall, 3-1 Region IX North) welcomed in the Mustangs (9-11 overall, 2-1 Region IX North).
After opening the game on a 5-0 run, the Trappers were countered with a 16-0 run by the visitors to trail 16-5 eight minutes in.
"We made our first three and then missed our next 13. We settled for threes, they were the aggressor," coach Andy Ward said.
The Mustangs maintained their double-digit advantage and eventually pushed it to 17 several times as Northwest shot 7-36 (19.4%) in the first half and trailed 40-23 at the break.
"We were really passive and as a result, down 17 at the half. I should have gotten us out of our zone quicker than I did," Ward said.
Right away the lead reached 20 to start the second half, and remained in double figures for much of the half before Northwest started chipping away midway through the period.
Northwest finally got the lead down to single digits on a Travis Theran Archibald 3-pointer with 6:13 remaining, and got it down to a single possession trailing 58-55 with 1:52 remaining after a Trey Rinn 3-pointer.
It got down to a single point after a jump shot by Logan Woolstenhulme, but Western answered in the free throw game late as Northwest was unable to find another basket and fell 62-57.
"We did a better job in the second half, gave ourselves a chance," Ward said. "They were really physical, they were really aggressive and we were not. Usually the aggressor wins."
Mateo Trujillo led with 18 points, Rinn added 15 as the other Trapper in double figures.
Woolstenhulme led with six rebounds, Trujillo led with five assists, Nayel Girard led with four steals.    

NORTHWEST 60, GILLETTE 58
The Trappers got off to a better start against Gillette (9-10 overall, 2-2 Region IX North), holding a 12-6 lead five minutes into the first quarter after a Woolstenhulme jumper.
That lead continued to grow over the next three minutes, as the Trappers made it 16-6 and forced a Gillette timeout.
Northwest built its advantage further to 12 after an Eli Patterson layup with 6:15 remaining in the half.
Each time Gillette had a chance to cut into the lead the Trappers had an answer, as the lead continued to hover in the low double-digits.
Northwest built the lead to as many as 15, but led 37-23 at the half.
"It was important for us to try to get out there and get a road win," Ward said. "I thought the guys did a really good job, kind of similar to the Western game, we only played well in the first half (this time), didn't play quite as well in the second half. Turned over the ball too much both halves."
Gillette started the second half strong, going on an 8-2 run over the first four minutes.
The hosts continued cutting into the lead, as the Trappers led 44-40 midway through the half.
Gillette completed its comeback, taking the lead and growing it to as many as six, before setting up for a wild finish to the contest.
Northwest tied the contest at 55 each after a pair of Rinn free throws, with just under two minutes remaining.
A 1-2 trip to the line gave Gillette a 56-55 lead, and an empty possession for Northwest followed by a 2-2 trip to the line made it 58-55 with 34 seconds left. 
A Girard and-one tied the game at 58 with 26 seconds remaining, giving Gillette a chance at one final possession.
Northwest's defense stood tall, and eventually forced a jump ball with 1.2 seconds left.
The possession arrow belonged to the hosts, and on the ensuing out-of-bounds play Rinn stole the ball and was fouled as he landed.
After review .4 seconds was put on the clock, as Rinn went to the line.
He went 2-2 to make it 60-58, and Gillette did not get a final shot off as Northwest escaped with a win.
"He's tough. Made a tough, key stop," Ward said. "There were a lot of guys who just made some big plays."
Trujillo led with 18 points as the only Trapper in double digits, adding three assists and steals to lead each of those categories.
Girard led with seven rebounds and matched Trujillo with three steals. 
R'Zha Zha'Quire Whittle had two of the three blocks for the Trappers.   

HALFWAY POINT
The Trappers continued Region IX action at home on Wednesday night, welcoming in Casper College (6-14 overall, 1-2 Region IX North) — that game was determined after the press deadline.
"They're a very talented group. They've got a lot of really good pieces," Ward said. "They're more than capable of beating anybody they play … It's gonna be a dogfight."
Northwest heads on the road this weekend, taking on Central Wyoming College (7-12 overall, 1-3 Region IX North) at 4 p.m. on Saturday in Riverton.  

WESTERN WYOMING 62, NORTHWEST 57
Total rebounds then offensive rebounds in ()
Points — Mateo Trujillo 18, Trey Rinn 15, Logan Woolstenhulme 7, Nayel Girard 4, Eli Patterson 4, Braydon Bradshaw 3, Tate Monroe 3, Travis Theran Archibald 3
Rebounds — Logan Woolstenhulme 6 (2), Braydon Bradshaw 5 (2), Trey Rinn 3 (1), Eli Patterson 3 (2), Mateo Trujillo 2, Nayel Girard 2 (1), R'Zha Zha'Quire Whittle 1
Assists — Mateo Trujillo 5, Trey Rinn 4, Nayel Girard 2, Eli Patterson 2, Braydon Bradshaw 1
Steals — Nayel Girard 4, Mateo Trujillo 2, Eli Patterson 2, Tate Monroe 2, Trey Rinn 1, Braydon Bradshaw 1, R'Zha Zha'Quire Whittle 1    

NORTHWEST 60, GILLETTE 58
Points — Mateo Trujillo 18, Trey Rinn 9, Logan Woolstenhulme 9, Nayel Girard 7, Eli Patterson 6, Braydon Bradshaw 4, R'Zha Zha'Quire Whittle 4, Travis Theran Archibald 3
Rebounds — Nayel Girard 7 (1), Logan Woolstenhulme 5 (1), R'Zha Zha'Quire Whittle 5, Eli Patterson 4 (2), Braydon Bradshaw 3 (1), Mateo Trujillo 2, Tate Monroe 2, Travis Theran Archibald 2, Trey Rinn 1 (1)
Assists — Mateo Trujillo 3, Trey Rinn 2, Braydon Bradshaw 2, Nayel Girard 1, Logan Woolstenhulme 1
Steals — Mateo Trujillo 3, Nayel Girard 3, Tate Monroe 1, Logan Woolstenhulme 1
Blocks — R'Zha Zha'Quire Whittle 2, Braydon Bradshaw 1