Knights stun Plainswomen on the road

Sterling, Colo. – Mariah Gardner energized the Knights offensive attack on her way to a career high 18 points to propel North Platte to a 73-67 win over Northeastern Junior College on Tuesday night.

Reece Halley was a dominating force in the paint for North Platte, closing the night out with 21 points and two rebounds in 19 minutes of action. The Knights were outrebounded, 47-41, but scored 25 points off of 17 Northeastern turnovers.

North Platte jumped out to an 11-7 lead by the midway point of the opening quarter behind six points from Halley. The Plainswomen responded with a 6-0 run to knot the game up, but North Platte closed the quarter with a run of their own to take the early 21-13 lead.

Northeastern turned an early North Platte turnover into a transition layup, but five straight points pushed the margin back to double digits with 8:30 to play in the second quarter. The margin stayed above seven until the Plainswomen found their rhythm on the offensive end, closing the quarter on a 10-0 run to cut the deficit to one by the halftime break.

Seneya Martinez knocked down an open three pointer to give Northeastern their first lead of the game in the opening seconds of the third quarter. The Plainswomen lead grew to four, before a short burst by the Knights knotted the game up at 38-38. The two teams exchanged blows down the stretch before the Knights recaptured the momentum on an 8-0 run to close the quarter.

Headed into the final frame the Knights had to battle some adversity as three key pieces were in foul trouble. Back-to-back baskets in the lane by Halley helped stretch the North Platte lead back to double digits, before Northeastern ended the run on a Genesis Sweetwine basket. Northeastern slowly edged back into the game late, but the Knights connected on 6-of-10 free throws in the final minute to earn the road win.

North Platte (6-14) returns to Region IX action on Friday against Central Community College. Tip is set for 5 p.m. inside the McDonald-Belton Gymnasium.