Feb. 8, 2008

Final Stats

By Anthony Arroyo Journal-Advocate sports reporter

STERLING -- Third time wasn't the charm for Lamar Community College against the Northeastern Junior College Plainswomen, as NJC went off for a comfortable 84-55 win Wednesday evening at home.

The home team beat Lamar 120-49 in the first meeting during the NJC Classic back in November, and won 90-45 in their place.

Northeastern is now 22-4 and winners in nine of its last 10 tries. Even with the success, Plainswomen head coach Darrel Parker would like to see some things improve heading into some tough match-ups down the stretch, and before the Region IX Tournament.

"I would like us to shoot the ball better," Parker said. "We're getting second and third chance shots, but not finishing like we should. When we shoot the ball well, we are a hard team to beat."

During play Thursday night at the Bank of Colorado Event Center, the flow of the game was slower than the last two meetings between Lamar and Northeastern, however, NJC still managed to force 20 turnovers, which translated into 23 points.

Freshman Kristy Henderson would tie the game at five early on and two free throws by sophomore Kristen Forbes would see the game at a 7-7 lock.

From there, the Plainswomen responded with a 12-3 run, capped on a basket inside by freshman Stacy Howard.

Howard was big in the first half, connecting on back-to-back baskets and later would complete a three-point play. She would help her team take a 34-23 advantage into the locker room.

"We didn't come out with that fire that we like to come out with, but at this point of the season, the girls are going out there and having fun with what they're doing," Parker said.

The offense did a much better job coming out with the fire that the coach mentioned. Northeastern opened the quarter on a 16-6 run, thanks to consecutive baskets inside by freshman Silke Forstmann.

The bench would come into the game and close things out, earning the 29-point triumph.

Eleven players once again scored at least two points for the Plainswomen, led by Howard with 19 points.

Montrose's Britney Creamer had a very good performance off the bench, going for 12 points in 14 minutes. Freshman Jacqie Neill added eight points and six assists, while Forstmann finished with a game-high 10 rebounds.

Sophomore Sarah Conner finished her night with 13 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and two steals.

"We're playing much more relaxed than we have from the beginning of the season, which could be good or bad," Parker said. "We can't afford to do that on Friday, or else we'll dig ourselves a hole."

Northeastern is going to need all the fans possible to help the team to victory Friday night when the Plainswomen host a very tough Casper (Wyo.) College team.

Casper is also looking for revenge, as NJC beat them 44-41 in Wyoming.

Last season, the two teams split during the regular season, and it was Casper that ended Northeastern's path to the national tournament. Friday's game starts at 5:30 p.m.