Feb. 4, 2008

Final Stats

By Anthony Arroyo Journal-Advocate sports reporter

STERLING -- Trinidad State Junior College is a scrappy team that can shoot the three very well, but Northeastern proved they can shoot it better from behind the arc.

NJC connected on 13 three-pointers, including five from sophomore Mike Dominguez, cruising to a 104-82 victory on their home floor Friday evening.

The win improves the team's overall record to 22-3.

Northeastern continued where they left off in Otero after connecting on nine three-pointers Thursday. The Plainsmen made six in the first half, and also shot the ball near 60 percent, claiming a 51-36 lead at halftime.

Second half action continued where the first half ended, with tons of shots from three-point land. TSJC increased their offensive play, but so did NJC. The Plainsmen would outscore their opponent 53-46 in the second half to cruise to the 22-point victory.

Freshman Alex Garcia-Mendoza had a great game for NJC and it came off the bench. Garcia-Mendoza finished with 23 points as the leading scorer for his team.

Dominguez shot his way to 21 points and also added seven rebounds and six assists to his night.

Sophomore Troy Smith finished with 18 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, while DeRay Wilson ended his evening with 16 points and eight assists.

Northeastern would outscore Trinidad State's bench 43-5 in the contest, also recording nine more points off turnovers.

The winning streak has reached six for the Plainsmen. NJC plays next at home on Wednesday, Feb. 6 against Lamar Community College. Northeastern scored a 69-59 victory in their first match up of the year.