Northeastern Mounts Comeback, Loses by Three

Nov. 19, 2018, Sterling, Colo. —  The Northeastern Plainsmen played host to the Iowa Western Reivers on Monday, Nov. 19. The Plainsmen recently came off a split over the weekend at the Air Force Prep Invitational. Playing the Reivers at home was a nice change up after having three games on the road, which helped Northeastern battle. At the tip, it was apparent that the Plainsmen lacked in the height department against their opponent, but that doesn't matter if offenses are executed. 

In the first half, the Reivers had the hot hand, but great defense and timely made shots kept the Plainsmen in the game. With five minutes in the half both teams were well into double bonus as the could total for both teams was 23. Defense was the backbone to the Plainsmen success as they locked up the Reivers and forced charges. At half, Northeastern led 38-35 with Wade Kellogg leading the team with eight points. 

The second half was slightly different than the first as the Plainsmen came out firing and took a seven-point lead over Iowa Western. The Reivers had figured out how to attack Northeastern's defense and allowed them to take the lead. With eight minutes left in the game, Iowa Western lead 66-61. The game progressed and Northeastern gained some of the points back and only trailed 73-76 with three minutes to go. Andrew Ferrin took a big charge with less than two minutes to go to give the Plainsmen the ball. The ensuing play led to Ryan Bagley driving the lane and getting a finger-roll layup to make the score 78-77 with Northeastern now only down by one. Northeastern and Iowa Western traded points the next two possessions, and with only 43.8 seconds remaining, the Plainsmen still were down by one at 79-80. The Reivers had the ball next time down the floor, and ran a play that ended with an Iowa Western player driving to the hole. He missed, but an offensive rebound allowed them to shoot again. Western was fouled on the shot, which ended with them only making one of two. Ten second remained and the Reivers still had the lead 81-79. Northeastern set up a play after a timeout, and Terae Johnson drove the ball to the right, and shot a contested shot that ended up in the Reivers' hands. The game ended 82-79 after Northeastern had to foul and shoot a half-court shot.