Story by NPCC Athletic Communications
Scottsbluff, Neb. - Behind 21 points from Aliyah Herron, the North Platte women’s basketball team held on to defeat Western Nebraska 63-60 Sunday afternoon.
"Proud of this group and their fight today," head coach Jeff Thurman said. "This was a great team win against a very good Western Nebraska team."
Herron finished with 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting from the field. Zaily Mazarin added 12 points, while sophomore Dezirae Gonzales rounded out the Knights double-figure scorers with 10.
North Platte opened the game with a strong defensive effort, jumping out to a 12-4 lead after a putback by Kyenna Jackson that forced a Western Nebraska timeout with 3:38 remaining. The Cougars responded late, trimming the deficit to 15-13 by the end of the period.
The Knights stretched their advantage to double figures just before the media timeout in the second quarter. Teams would go back-and-forth only allowing Western Nebraska to chip away slightly, as North Platte carried a 30-22 lead into halftime.
The momentum shifted after Western Nebraska went on a 15-2 run, building a five-point lead with 4:35 remaining in the quarter. The Knights cut the deficit to one on two separate occasions but were unable to retake the lead as Western Nebraska held a 43-41 lead headed into the fourth.
The fourth quarter was tightly contested, featuring two ties and a brief North Platte lead. Western Nebraska knotted the game with 49 seconds remaining, but Reece Yahn and Zaily Mazarin each hit a pair of free throws in the closing moments to seal the victory.
"We did a great job on the defensive end and that was the difference," Thurman said. "Now we have to get back to work and make sure this win wasn’t for nothing."
North Platte (6-15, 3-4 Region 9 South) continues Region 9 South play on Wednesday against Southeast Community College. Tipoff set for 5 p.m. in Lincoln.