Jan. 19, 2008

Final Stats

STERLING -- The Northeastern Junior College Plainswomen didn't have the picture-perfect type of game the coaching staff would have liked to see, but the result was enough during the first game of the Roy Edwards Memorial Classic Friday night.

Northeastern opened up action with Northwest Wyoming and picked up a 60-47 victory, improving its overall mark to 16-3. The team has also been the winner in five of its last six ball games.

"We were a little tentative offensively to begin the game," head coach Darrel Parker said. "The girls finally got things going, but I felt we played a bit slow throughout the match."

The defense from the Plainswomen was stellar, recording 10 steals and forcing 30 turnovers in the win.

"Our defense kept us in the game."

However, NJC didn't take much advantage offensively, shooting just 33 percent from the field. The first half was slow, as back-and-fourth basketball featured the home team up 28-18. Northeastern finally began to click on the offensive side of the ball, creating turnovers into easy hoops on their end.

In the blink of an eye, the Plainswomen increased their lead to more than 20 points before a 12-2 run within the last four minutes of the game by Northwest Wyoming made the win that much respectable.

Sophomore Sarah Conner continues to shine for NJC, as she recorded a game-high 16 points, to go along with five assists and three steals. Freshman Stacy Howard finished with 11 points and nine rebounds, while Kristen Forbes ended her evening with nine points and six boards.

Northeastern out-rebounded their opponent by 14 and recorded 14 more points off turnovers in the 12-point win.

The Plainswomen return to action today in Day 2 of the Roy Edwards Memorial Classic when they play host to Fort Carson Military at 5 p.m.