Plainsmen Battle But Fall In Opening Round

In the Region IX-South play in game, the Plainsmen would have to travel down to Otero to play the Rattlers.  The Plainsmen were seeded eighth in the Region IX-South, so they were matched up against the number one seed Rattlers.  Northeastern has had some difficulties in the regular season against Otero, but as every coach knows, it is hard to beat a team three times in the same year.  At this point in the season, it is win or go home, so they knew they had to ball out.

The first half was a little different for the Plainsmen as there were no threes made.  No matter what NJC shot from behind the arc, nothing seemed to fall.  Additionally. Marcus Burwell had found himself in foul trouble early in the first half, which made him have to play a little more passive to avoid fouling out.  With all of the planets aligning for the worst, the Plainsmen found a way to battle against the adversity and take the lead at halftime 38-37.

In the second half, the Plainsmen would keep trying their hand at three pointers, but still could not find a way to make one.  Northeastern has always been a great three point shooting team, but this game they literally could not hit.  They would eventually go 0-15 from downtown, which had tremendously changed their game.  Additionally to their missed shots, the entire Plainsmen team would find themselves in foul trouble.  During the game, four players would foul out, and three others would have four fouls, which would drastically change their type of play.  Regardless of the circumstances, once again NJC found a way to keep scoring and keep themselves in the game.  It was not until late in the game when the Rattlers would pull away, which could not be made up by the Plainsmen.  A last second layup would give the Rattlers the 11-point victory of 83-72.

The Plainsmen conclude their 2017-2018 season.  Although it was not the outcome they hoped for, their effort was something they could hang their hat on.