RANGELY, Colo. — Colorado Northwestern Women's Basketball put together one of its most complete efforts of the season on Thursday afternoon inside Hefley Gymnasium, pushing Trinidad State from start to finish in a tightly contested matchup that saw 14 lead changes and nine ties. Despite the spirited performance, the Spartans ultimately fell just short, 58–53.

The Spartans opened the game with confidence, shooting 41.7% in the first quarter and going toe-to-toe with the Trojans to trail by just two after one period. CNCC matched Trinidad State again in the second quarter, entering halftime locked in a 30–30 tie. The defensive intensity, ball movement, and paint presence kept the crowd engaged and kept momentum on the Spartan bench throughout the afternoon.

Sophomore Taylor Jones was outstanding, finishing with a team-high 19 points, adding three assists, four steals, and several clutch baskets as CNCC made repeated pushes late in the game. Jones scored eight of CNCC's 14 fourth-quarter points and was the engine behind a 6–0 run that briefly gave the Spartans a 50–49 advantage with under five minutes to play.

Shyann Farbes delivered a strong two-way performance, posting 7 points, a team-high 7 rebounds, a steal, and steady leadership defensively. She and Cassandra Perez, who added 4 rebounds and active perimeter defense, helped CNCC win key possessions and produce a season-best 22 points off turnovers.

Freshman Ariana Strain provided a spark off the bench, contributing 8 points, including a crucial three-pointer and a perfect trip to the free-throw line in the fourth quarter. Eden Erickson also chipped in 5 points, 3 assists, and timely hustle plays that kept CNCC in rhythm offensively.

Trinidad State relied on efficient shooting from the field (39.6%) and a strong night at the free-throw line (85%) to secure the narrow victory, while CNCC finished with a 34.5% shooting performance and an improved 71.4% from the line.

Despite the loss, the Spartans showcased resilience, composure, and noticeable growth—matching an opponent possession for possession and demonstrating the strides being made within the program. With the energy they showed on Thursday, CNCC continues trending in the right direction as conference play approaches.

The Spartans return to action next week in Las Vegas, NV as they look to build on this performance and carry their competitive momentum forward.