Game of Runs
Before the Plainsmen are able to head home for the holiday break, they have some work to do on the basketball court. On the schedule, they have three games with their last one being at home on the 15th. The men want to head into break on a high note and be able to take with them a few wins to help them begin the second semester. Their first task would be defeating on the road the Golden Eagles of Laramie County CC. The Golden Eagles are a tough competitor, but if the Plainsmen played their game, they would be able to defeat them.
From the tip, the game was shaping to be a battle as both teams would exchange points faster than the returns department after the holidays. After 12 minutes of play in the game, the Plainsmen would lead 19-18. Both teams would continue scoring back and forth throughout the rest of the half, but the Eagles would go on a small 11-4 run in three minutes, but the Plainsmen would counter in the final minutes and bring the score within five, but still trailing 38-33.
In the second half, both teams would get hot and go on a run. One team would weather the storm, and then would follow it up with a barrage of points. Before any of the streaks would happen, the Plainsmen would first make a comeback and gain the lead 56-54 when Dan Villejo would make a three at the 12:35 mark. From there it would again be back and forth until 11 minutes left in the game. At that point, the Golden Eagles would score 22 points to the Plainsmen's four points. With just four minutes left in the game, Northeastern would trail the Eagles 84-64.
With the mindset of "if they could, why not us?" the Plainsmen would try to make a comeback by scoring some points late. Although the men were able to score some points late, the clock was their enemy and ran out of time. The Plainsmen would fall to the Golden Eagles 93-82. Northeastern will be able to have another crack at it on Saturday December 9 as they travel to play conference opponent Trinidad State.
Having another game for NJC would be Marcus Burwell by scoring 28 points, followed by Jazz Parker coming off the bench and scoring 13 points and dishing up five assists.