Plainsmen Hang On To Defeat Trinidad

Feb. 2, 2019, Sterling, Colo. — The Northeastern men's basketball team have had a rough patch of games lately. The scoreboard has not reflected their game because they have been playing well, shots have not been falling for them. Knowing that the ball will have to fall in their favor sometime, they needed to keep playing Plainsmen basketball and the rest will follow. 

The first half began and Northeastern had a slow start. They fell behind and allowed the Trojans to take a slight lead. The Plainsmen got a spark off the bench with Sami Logoro and Tre Lewis, which allowed them to go on a 10-2 run and tie the game 23-23. Trinidad called a timeout after a baseline dunk by Nykolas Lange to try to slow Northeastern's momentum down. The timeout only slowed down the Plainsmen's scoring, but they still added to their lead. At halftime, Northeastern led Trinidad 41-33. 

The second half began with the Trojans and the Plainsmen exchanging points for the first five minutes. The game continued to be back and forth until after the halfway mark of the half when Trinidad took advantage of small mistakes that Northeastern made. The Trojans brought the score within one point to make it a 56-55 game with only six minutes left. A minute later Trinidad made a layup to take their first lead since Northeastern got hot in the first. Trinidad ran a 2-3 zone that stymied the Plainsmen, which allowed them to make a comeback. The lead exchanged hands a few times before Trinidad called a timeout while being ahead 60-59 with 1:35 remaining. 

With the Plainsmen trailing by one with 38 seconds on the clock, Northeastern set up a play. Wade Kellogg put up a three-pointer from the top of the key. The ball came up short and Ben Davis II snagged the offense rebound and made the and-one layup. There was 10.3 seconds left on the clock and the Plainsmen led 62-60. After the timeout, Trinidad advanced the ball and drove baseline. Terae Johnson fouled the man, which sent them to the line for a one-and-one free throw. He missed the first and Ben Davis II handled the rebound and was fouled. One made free throw later and the Plainsmen iced the game winning 63-60.

 Northeastern will be on the road Tuesday Feb. 5 as they travel to North Platte to play the Knights.