Box Score

By Jim Ellis jellis@miaminewsrecord.com


MIAMI — A big second half helped the Northeastern A&M men take charge during an 81-67 win over Murray State College here Wednesday, Jan. 9.

The Norse trailed 35-33 at the break, but used a 132-2 run — including a four-point play by Ravel Moody — to get things under control.

"We got rolling in the second half after shaking off the cobwebs," Norse coach Jeremy Jackson said. "We really dedicated ourselves in the second half to driving the basketball because it's really tough for people to stop us. We have long athletes that can really get to the rim.

"If they are not willing to get down and guard and help over, then we are going to make you pay for it. We did that tonight."

Moody's was one of five "and-1s" the Norse turned in over the final 17 minutes of the game.

"Plays like that helped get us over the top," Jackson said.

Considering they had been off nearly a month, the Norse found the mark on 50 percent of their shots from the field.

"It is the unknown — you don't know how they are going to come out and perform," Jackson said. "I was worried they were going to be throwing the ball all over the gym, but we didn't. We stayed composed."

Moody had a game-high 22 points. Kyle Lukasiewicz with 16 and Jeremiah Morris with 14 joined him in double figures.

Others with points for NEO were Dylan Van Eyck, nine; Mello Williams, six; Kyrele Benford, five; Spencer Roberts, four; Samkelo Cele, three, and Valentin Van Putten, two.

Murray State picked up 19 points from Derek Guest, 14 from Karey McLeish and 12 from Lloyd Daniels.

The Norse improved to 2-1 in the conference, 11-5 overall, while Murray (5-11) suffered its first loss in three league games.

NEO hosts Connors State College Monday, Jan. 14.