LA JUNTA, Colo. (Interstat) — The Northeastern (Colo.) Plainsmen overcame a halftime deficit to beat the Otero Rattlers 70-59 in a men’s junior college basketball game Friday.

Otero led 39-35 at halftime, but Northeastern (Colo.) dominated the second half, holding the Rattlers to just 20 points after the break. The Plainsmen improved to 9-4 this season. Otero fell to 1-14.

The result defied a national statistical projection that forecast a much higher-scoring, even contest. Northeastern (Colo.) next plays at Trinidad State on Saturday. Otero will host Western Nebraska.