Knights close Hampton Inn Classic with win over Trinidad

North Platte, Neb. – Knights capitalize on key possessions late in the fourth quarter to avenge an earlier season loss to the Trojans of Trinidad State College on the final day of the Hampton Inn Classic, 90-82.

Jada Grigsby scored a career-high 27 points to accompany her seven rebounds and two assists, including a layup late in the fourth quarter that halted the Trinidad run. Knights point guard Chrishelle Washington added 21 points to complete her fourth double-digit game of the season, as the Knights improve to 3-11 overall.

As a team, the Knights connected on 45.6 percent (31-68) of their shots from the field, including 26-of-33 free throw opportunities. Despite being outrebounded, 48-42, the Knights forced 22 turnovers while holding the Trojans to just 39.5 percent (30-76) shooting from the field.

Knights quickly jumped out to a 13-3 lead in the opening minutes of the first quarter. The Trojans retaliated with a 9-0 run to pull within one with 3:58 to play. Washington broke the silence by driving through the lane and completing the layup to give the Knights the 15-12 lead. The game remained tight over the next two minutes, until the Knights closed the quarter on a 7-2 run to take a 28-23 lead into quarter break.

Knights extended their lead to seven before the Trojans slowly ate into the deficit, eventually knotting the game up at 32 with 6:02 to play. A short 7-3 run by the Knights pushed the margin to four on a runner by Mariah Gardner. Trinidad would not let the Knights build a comfortable lead over the closing minutes, as the North Platte lead was cut to three by the end of the second quarter.

The Knights lead grew to 48-41 in the opening minute of the third quarter, but just like the opening half the Trojans slowly chipped away at the deficit to tie the game up at 56 with 3:30 remaining. North Platte would outscore the Trojans down the stretch to take a 67-63 lead into the final quarter.

North Platte fought off another Trinidad run and built a 10-point lead with 3:05 to play in regulation. Trojans narrowed the margin to three inside the final two minutes, but the Knights kept the momentum down the stretch to seal their third win of the season.

North Platte will take a month off before returning to the hardwood on Monday, Jan. 9. Tip is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. against Hastings College JV inside the McDonald-Belton Gymnasium.