Feb. 8, 2007

Final Stats

Lamar did exactly what they wanted to do by slowing the game down and milking the shot clock on Wednesday night against No. 5 Northeastern Junior College. But the tactic had no affect on coach Eddie Trenkle's Plainsmen as the group rolled to a 67-49 win on the road.

"Their best player was out so I think that affected them," Trenkle said. "But I thought we played a great game. We had two turnovers in the second half."

NJC was held far under their season scoring average of 88.4 points per game. However, the Plainsmen showed they could adapt and to and win a different type of game.

"Getting the defensive stops we did was big because they didn't run a play until there was 18 seconds to go on the shot clock," Trenkle said. "It kinda played into our hands. We sat back and rested and waited for them to go. I think we forced seven, shot-clock violations."

NJC beat Lamar two weeks ago in Jackson-Edwards Arena, 84-56. Sophomore LaTravis Turner took over the rematch Wednesday night. Turner hit 7-of-12 from the perimeter and 2-of-3 from the free-throw line on his way to a game-high 16 points. Turner also pulled down five rebounds and had three steals. Turner's 53 steals leads NJC for the season.

"LaTravis was the key," Trenkle said. "We had five guys step up and play well, but LaTravis gave us a great 40 minutes."

Omar Leary scored 13 and passed out four assists for NJC while Rashad Austin scored 12 and pulled down seven rebounds.