Story by NPCC Athletic Communications
Scottsbluff, Neb. – Dazjanae Greene led the Knights with 13 points while Reece Halley chipped in 10 points in a 68-63 loss to Western Nebraska on Tuesday night in Scottsbluff.
Halley extended the Knights lead to three in the early minutes of the first quarter, but a 7-2 spurt helped the Cougars regain the lead on a floater by Gal-La Font. The lead changed hands two more times in the closing minutes as a three from Helena Kuck pushed Western Nebraska to a 16-15 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Western Nebraska extended their lead to 24-19, but five straight points from Nariah Golden evened the game up inside seven minutes to play. The Knights traded buckets with Western Nebraska down the stretch until a 7-1 run pushed the Cougars lead to 34-29 at halftime.
The Cougars offense found their rhythm in the third quarter to push their lead into double digits. North Platte countered with a 6-2 run to cut the margin to 55-43 headed into the fourth quarter. Knights opened the fourth with a 13-4 run as a three pointer from Mariah Gardner cut the deficit to three.
Western Nebraska pushed their lead back to eight, but another short spurt trimmed the Cougars lead to 64-63 inside the final two minutes. Cougars earned two trips to the free throw line in the final minute and knocked down all four attempts to close out the win.
North Platte (16-10) returns to the McDonald-Belton Gymnasium for a two-game homestand to close out the regular season beginning on Friday. Tip against Otero Junior College is set for 5 p.m.