March 8, 2011Downed by Western in second round
By Jonathan Seib Journal-Advocate sports reporter
NORFOLK, Neb. -- The Northeastern Junior College Plainsmen`s season came to an end on Sunday after a successful start to the tournament. Facing Western Wyoming in the second round, the Plainsmen could not seem to find their feet as Western went on to win 78-58.
Widgett Washington, the standout sophomore from Kansas City, Mo., came on strong in his final game in a Plainsmen uniform. He put up 31 in the game and had six steals. But Western got off to a quick start and with four players in double digits and outstanding defense, stopped NJC from getting the upper hand. Jordan Hayter and Tallon Robertson scored 16 points each.
Western took a 31-23 lead at half and were able to stay ahead as the Plainsmen turned up the speed in the second half.
Donthe Lucas had seven points, three shot blocks and five rebounds in the final game and BJ Dundar had four assists and five rebounds. Kameron Pearce scored six.
The tournament started out strong for the Plainsmen. Washington is a consistent high scorer and proved it with 31 points in the first game against Northwest. He also had five steals, four assists, and five rebounds in the win.
Pearce, a freshman from Jerome, Idaho, also had a big game as he scored 19 points in the 80-76 win. The Plaisnmen started off slow, behind 41-37 at the half, but rallied back and were up by five in the second. That lead got cut into, thanks in part to 23 points total from William Walker, and the game saw its seventh lead change as Northwest jumped back up. But Washington was strong from the line and helped out by a steal from Dunbar was able to put the lid on in the final second of the game.