Otero offense strikes against Knights

North Platte, Neb. – Bruce Carpenter finished the game with 25 points, six rebounds and two assists but ten opening half turnovers doomed the Knights in a 90-69 loss inside the McDonald-Belton Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon.

Fellow guards Antwone Gonzales (18) and Ramiah Adedigba (13) rounded out the double-digit scorers on the afternoon, while Kayden Crosby hauled in nine rebounds in 37 minutes of action.   

In the opening half, the Knights saw their early lead quickly erased after a 9-1 run by the Rattlers. North Platte rallied to retake the lead with 10:43 to play on a layup by Adedigba, but Otero would not go away as teams traded the lead over the next 4:37 until a short 5-0 run gave the road team the momentum.

The Rattlers lead grew to 39-29 with 1:29 to play, before a one-handed jam by Gonzales and a pair of free throws from Davion Evans brought the Knights within six. Otero maintained the momentum and closed the half with back-to-back three pointers to take a 45-33 lead into the halftime break.

Rattlers held the Knights to just one field goal in the opening three minutes of the second half while the deficit grew to 51-35. The Knights went on a 4-0 run to trim the deficit to 51-39 on a three pointer by Gonzales, but the final 15:22 belonged to the Rattlers as they steadily increased their lead to close out the win.

North Platte (9-6) will look to rebound on Saturday, Jan. 21 against Lamar Community College. Tip is set for 8 p.m. in Lamar, Colo.