Dec. 3, 2007

Final Stats

STERLING -- The count is now at 11 for the sixth-ranked Plainsmen basketball team after two more wins at the Pepsi Classic held at the Bank of Colorado Event Center over the weekend.

Friday night, the men hooked up for a comfortable 83-68 victory against College of Eastern Utah to open up tournament play. NJC would wrap things up with a 71-48 triumph against Air Force Prep, thanks to a big second half.

Northeastern has four more games before hitting the winter break.

First thing's first: The Plainsmen looked strong against their opening opponent, finishing the game with four players in double-digits.

NJC had a comfortable 35-28 first half lead on their way to the victory. The team was out-rebounded by four, but made it up in other ways, including 27 points from off the bench.

Leading the way for Northeastern was DeRay Wilson, who had 18 points to lead all scorers as well as dishing out three assists. Troy Smith added 17 points on two three-pointers while Mike Dominguez was close behind with 16 points on three three-pointers.

Freshman Alex Garcia came off the bench for 11 points and eight rebounds.

Saturday, the team appeared to struggle on the offensive end, only shooting 35 percent from the field. Up and down play that saw them have a lead and trail by a couple points ended with a two-point lead at halftime.

In the second half, NJC came out playing like they knew how and pushed to outscore Air Force Prep 45-24 to come away on top.

Smith had a big game for the Plainsmen, recording 20 points and grabbing nine rebounds, while passing for five assists. Sophomore Jaron Lewis did some work down low, coming off the bench for 12 points and five rebounds in the win.

Dominguez finished in double-figures as well with 10 points, and adding six rebounds and four steals.

NJC plays again Tuesday at home against North Platte Community College. It will be the final home game until Jan. 7 when they host Frank Phillips College.