Knights fall to Rattlers on the road

La Junta, Colo. – Davion Evans closed out the game with 19 points, but the Knights fell to Region IX foe Otero Junior College 91-82 on Saturday afternoon.

Evans led four North Platte players in double figures, as teammates Antwone Gonzales (18), Ramiah Adedigba (16), and Bruce Carpenter (14) each contributed to Knights point total.

North Platte utilized a dribble drive offense to take an early lead in the opening two minutes. The Rattlers countered with a 10-3 run to take their first lead of the game, before their second run midway through the half gave the home team the 34-24 advantage with 7:38 to play.

Knights managed to trim the margin to one inside the closing minutes of the half, but a short spurt helped Otero stretch their lead to 51-45 as teams headed into the locker room.

North Platte refocused during the break, as the Otero double digit second half advantage was trimmed to seven with 11:36 remaining. Otero responded to push their lead back to double digits where it would remain until the closing minutes.

In the final five minutes of regulation, the Knights utilized a 9-2 run to narrow the margin inside ten on a contested layup by Gonzales. Otero and North Platte traded free throws in the closing minute which helped the Rattlers close the book on what might have been a successful comeback story.

North Platte (12-15, 2-9 Region IX South) will close out the regular season on Tuesday, Feb. 28 against Northeastern Junior College. Tip is set for 7 p.m. inside the McDonald-Belton Gymnasium.