Northeastern Advances to Semi-Final Rematch with Western Nebraska

March 5, 2020, Sterling, Colo. — The Northeastern Junior College Plainsmen, who earned the honor to host to the NJCAA Region IX basketball tournament this week, rode roughshod over its quarterfinal opponent Central Wyoming, 92-70.

The Rustlers took advantage of a favored Northeastern's squad looking cold and lethargic as the Central Wyoming squad protected an early lead through the first several minutes of play. The Plainsmen then went on a shooting spree that mixed three pointers with sound paint shots and dunks to put them ahead by 10 midway through the first period. The Rustlers then became victims of their own ball handling as Northeastern converted multiple steals to pad their lead by as much as 18 points before the half. 

The deep-benched Plainsmen team produced four double-digit scorers. Led by Mohammed Diallo's 18-point performance, they rolled to a 22-point margin victory marred only by a scoreless, four-minute defensive foul fest that saw mostly free throw points by the Rustlers in the middle of the second period.