Nov. 6, 2006

Final Stats

The Eddie Trenkle era began with convincing, 114-84 victory over Buckley Air Force Base in the Bank of Colorado Event Center Friday Night.

Tip off was delayed almost two hours due to Vice-President Dick Cheney's surprise visit to Buckley.

When the two teams finally suited up and put the ball in play, NJC's front-court proved too powerful for the under-manned Buckley.

"I'm just glad my guys got to suit up against somebody different and play," Head Coach Eddie Trenkle said. "We played hard. The effort was there but we have to execute better."

Trenkle's group jumped out to a 54-34 lead at halftime against Buckley. The overmatched Panthers saw the Plainsmen shoot a scorching 64 percent in the first half.

NJC continued its hot shooting from the field in the second half (54 percent) to hold off Buckley and forward Marcus Murphy.

Murphy kept his team in the game with 43 points, including five three-pointers.

LaTravis Turner led the Plainsmen with 24 points while Shane Edwards followed close behind with 21. Edwards pulled down 13 boards to record his first double-double of the young season.

Rashad Austin had 13 points while guards Troy Smith and Omar Leary scored 11 apiece.

Leary dished out eight assists and had four steals in the Plainsmen's 30-point win.