March 21, 2008 01:00 am
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From staff reports
sports@joplinglobe.com
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — In a basketball game that saw nine lead changes and eight ties, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M finally succumbed to Seward County (Kan.) 67-61 on Thursday in the second round of the NJCAA men’s national basketball tournament.
The Norsemen (27-8) will meet the loser of the South Plains (Texas)-Indian Hills (Iowa) contest at 3 p.m. today. Seward County (31-5) will take on the winner of that game in the semifinals at 8 p.m.
NEO held a 31-30 halftime advantage. The two teams were nearly even in field goals, with NEO hitting 21-of-55 shots for 38 percent compared to 21-of-51 for 41 percent for the Kansans. However, Seward County excelled at the free throw line, netting 17-of-21. NEO hit 18-of-30 from the charity stripe.
Dominique Gaines scored 19 points to lead the Norsemen. The only other NEO player to get in double figures was Reggie Mathis with 16.
Seward County had four players in double figures. Nick Burns netted 15, Reggie Chamberlain 13 and Donald Dixon and Ervin Williams 11 apiece.
Lionel Green grabbed 10 rebounds to help the Norsemen grab a 38-35 rebounding edge.
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