March 5, 2008

Final Stats

By Anthony Arroyo Journal-Advocate sports reporter

MILES CITY, Mont. -- After Northeastern Junior College got a huge 76-42 victory against McCook to finish the regular season, and an 81-47 clobbering of Little Big Horn College in first round action of the Region IX tournament, the season has come to an end for the Plainswomen.

In second round action Sunday, NJC was defeated 70-55 by Northeast Community College, based out of Nebraska. The team finished the season with an identical 25-7 record from a year ago.

Northeastern recorded a win against Little Big Horn, 89-32, earlier in the year during the Casper Shootout and struggled early on before applying a 39-15 run in the second half to close out with the dominate win.

The Plainswomen finished the contest with four players in double figures, led by freshman Kristy Henderson's 14 points. Sophomore Sarah Conner added 13, Jennifer Garner had 12, and freshman Jacqie Neil added 10 off the bench.

NJC was big inside and out-rebounded Little Big Horn 49-28 on the night. On the offensive end, the women pulled down 18 rebounds and converted them into 14 second chance points.

The team also forced its opponent to 28 turnovers, which led to 33 points for Northeastern. Unfortunately, the success didn't transfer over to the following game Sunday night, as poor shooting and frustration haunted the team in the defeat.

Northeastern had three technical fouls called against them from the bench. Neither team shot the ball well, with both teams shooting under 38 percent from the field.

NJC trailed 37-28 at half-time, and when it appeared the women were making a comeback, Northeast Community College ran off a 17-4 run to open the lead to as big as 20 points in the second half.

NCC attempted 20 more free throws than NJC and made 16 more. Northeastern got 12 points from both Henderson and freshman Stacy Howard, while Conner ended her brilliant Plainswomen career with 10 points and two steals.

The Plainswomen started the season with 11 wins before suffering their first loss of the season to Seward County back in November.

After the loss, NJC had another winning streak of seven and entered the region tournament with two wins in the last three contests.

Northeastern will have to rely on its impressive freshman class next season, as the team graduates just five sophomores, three of whom started for the Plainswomen.

Sophomores moving on are: Sarah Conner, Jennifer Garner, Kristen Forbes, Taija Bennett and Saundra Proctor.