Athletic Report
January 5, 2002

NE STATE OPENS SECOND HALF WITH 12-1 RUN IN 70-51 VICTORY OVER EASTERN NEW MEXICO
Redmen Set to Take over Top Spot in NCAA Division II Poll
TAHLEQUAH, OK – Northeastern State University, ranked #2 in NCAA Division II, opened the second half with a 12-1 run on its way to a 70-51 victory over visiting Eastern New Mexico, Jan. 5 in a Lone Star Conference crossover game at Jack Dobbins Field House.

NE State will likely move up to #1 in the next Division II Poll because Kentucky Wesleyan College, currently ranked #1, lost 94-88 to the University of Southern Indiana on Thursday (Jan. 3). Crossover games do not count in the LSC divisional standings. NSU, from the LSC North Division, is now 12-0. ENMU, from the LSC South Division, is 6-4.

The Greyhounds trailed the Redmen, 15-4, just 6:21 into the game. Eastern countered with a 15-5 run of its own, as the Hounds rallied to within a single point, 20-19, with 2:30 left in the half. Jonathan Cooper (Jr., G, Richton Park, IL/Chaffey College) scored the final points of the run with a 3-point basket. Shon Robinson drilled a 3-pointer for Northeastern State with 1:27 to go, as the Redmen took a 23-19 lead. Neither team scored during the remainder of the half.

NE State’s 12-1 run gave the Redmen a 35-20 advantage with 16:21 left in the game. Jon Shepherd scored six points during the run, while Robinson contributed a 3-point basket to the offensive surge. The Redmen held a comfortable lead the rest of the way, and led by as many as 23 points. Shepherd finished the game as NSU’s top scorer, with 18 points on 8 of 8 field goals and 2 of 4 free throws. Robinson added 17 points, including 3 three-pointers, and Darnell Hinson provided 11 points.

NSU outrebounded Eastern, 32-28, led by 6 rebounds from Justin Barkley. It was the first time this season ENMU hauled down fewer rebounds than its opponent. Cedric Palmer (Jr., F, Houston, TX/McLennan C.C.) scored 19 points to lead the Greyhounds. He also provided 4 rebounds and 2 assists. Cooper followed with 14 points, while matching Palmer with 4 boards and 2 assists. Joel Simpson (Jr., F, Detroit, MI/Kilgore College) topped the ENMU lineup with 5 rebounds.

Eastern outshot NE State in the first half, 43.8% (7 of 16) to 38.5% (26 of 49). The Redmen shot a blistering 69.6% (16 of 23) in the second half, while limiting the Greyhounds to 41.4% from the floor (12 of 29).

The Greyhounds return home for a pair of LSC crossover games on Jan. 10 and Jan. 12 against Southeastern Oklahoma State University and East Central University, respectively. Game time each night is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. (MST).