Story by Daniel Stinman Area Director of Marketing and Public Information
Lamar, Colo. – North Platte Community College women’s basketball team pushed their winning streak to three games with a road victory over Lamar Community College on Tuesday night. The Knights took the lead early and never looked back defeating the Runnin’ Lopes, 66-52.
“I am proud of our fight and determination tonight,” said head coach Jeff Thurman. “We withstood their run in the third quarter and continued to battle to earn this road win.”
Knights ran away in the first quarter connecting on their first seven shots from the floor. Leading 14-2, the Knights pushed their lead out to fifteen as Amber Wolever drove the lane and kicked it back out to an open Jennessy Aragon-Dennis who connected from beyond the arc.
The Runnin’ Lopes cut the deficit to twelve as the clock moved inside three minutes, but the Knights answered as Kanesha Hall banked in a three-point shot to extend the lead back to fifteen. Diamond Moore-Heath gave the Knights their largest lead of the game as she received the ball from Kayla Pope and laid it off the glass for an uncontested layup, 22-5.
Runnin’ Lopes offense shook off the rust in the second quarter and cut the deficit to seven inside five minutes to play, 24-17. Janay Brauer answered for the Knights firing up a deep three to push the Knights lead back to ten. The Runnin’ Lopes and Knights battled throughout the remainder of the quarter, but the Knights led at the break, 30-21.
In the third quarter, the Knights pushed their lead back to fifteen after Jocelyn Sellers found Jada Ballard cutting through the lane for an open layup, 40-25. Lamar went on a 18-4 run in the closing minutes of the third quarter to cut the deficit to one. The Knights managed to escape the pressure and built a four-point lead by the end of the third quarter, 47-43.
Moore-Heath helped push the Knights lead back to six with an excellent post move that cleared the way for an open bucket, 49-43. Knights pushed their lead back to double digits as Ballard completed an old fashioned three-point play, 55-45.
Knights tightened their defense over the remaining four minutes never letting the Runnin’ Lopes cut the deficit closer than nine. The Knights closed out the Runnin’ Lopes to earn the victory and extended their winning streak to three games.
Moore-Heath recorded her seventh double-double of the season totaling 25 points and 11 rebounds on the night. Her teammate Ballard added her first double-double of her collegiate career collecting 14 points to go along with her 10 rebounds.
Knights (6-9 overall, 5-5 Region IX) will travel to Beatrice, Neb. for their final road game of the season on Saturday, March 20. Tip is set for 2 p.m. at the Truman Center Gymnasium.