Mustangs down Knights to open tournament

Sterling, Colo. – North Platte rallied late to cut the margin to four but were unable to mount the momentum needed to complete the comeback against the Mustangs of Western Wyoming Community College on Thursday night, 82-76.

Ramiah Adedigba led the Knights with 19 points, followed closely by teammates Antwone Gonzales and Bruce Carpenter who each finished the night with 18 and 17 points, respectively.

Mustangs used a 13-1 run to take control of the game in the opening minutes. Knights narrowed the margin under ten for most of the opening half, but Western Wyoming managed to fight off the pressure to take the lead into the halftime break.

The Mustangs stretched their lead to 49-33 with 15:37 to play in the second half before the Knights scored seven straight points to pull within nine. The margin stayed under twelve until Western Wyoming went on a 7-0 run to extend their lead to fourteen.

North Platte went back to work offensively, narrowing the deficit to within five on a coast-to-coast layup by Adedigba. Knights kept it close down the stretch, but Western Wyoming closed the game out by going 7-of-8 at the free throw line inside the final minute.

Knights (3-2) return to the hardwood on Friday afternoon against Salt Lake Community College on the second day of the tournament in Sterling, Colo. Tip is set for 2:30 p.m. inside the Bank of Colorado Event Center.