Feb. 2, 2007

If there wasn't a bull's eye on the Northeastern Junior College men's basketball team before this week, there is now.

NJC moved to No. 5 in the national rankings after putting up 100 points and winning by 14 on Tuesday at Otero. It was the fifth time the Plainsmen broke the century mark in scoring this season, and it was the team's 16th win by a margin bigger than 10 points.

The Plainsmen are shooting 53 percent from the field as a team while holding opponents to just 38 percent.

Coach Eddie Trenkle's team discovered success in balanced scoring. The Plainsmen feature five players averaging in double figures in scoring on the season.

Forward Shane Edwards and guard Omar Leary, both bound for Colorado State after this season, lead the Plainsmen in scoring. Edwards is putting up 14 points a game while Leary is averaging 12.6.

LaTravis Turner is anchoring the perimeter defense with 48 steals while Mike Dominguez has 41. In the trenches on defense, Edwards and Rashad Austin have combined to block 35 shots.

Edwards and Austin lead NJC in rebounding with 8.3 and 6.8 boards a game, respectively.

Leary leads the group in assists with 7.3 per contest.