Knights fall to Runnin’ Lopes

Lamar, Colo. – North Platte rallied late in the fourth quarter but came up short in a 44-41 loss to Lamar Community College on Tuesday night.

The Runnin' Lopes jumped out to an early 6-0 lead in the opening quarter, but a quick response by the Knights knotted the game up on a corner three by Reece Halley. The Runnin' Lopes halted the momentum shift by capitalizing on their next offensive possession to retake the lead, before stretching the margin to 11-8 on a three by Jolee Ortiz. North Platte continued to hang around until a short spurt narrowed the deficit to one at the end of the opening ten minutes.

North Platte and Lamar combined for just 21 points in the second quarter, but the Knights managed to reverse the momentum late. Trailing 18-13, the Knights steadily chipped into the deficit to eventually knot the game up on a step back three by Noel Warrior.

A steal in the closing minute presented an opportunity for a huge momentum swing, as Warrior grabbed the loose ball and beat the Lamar defender to the paint for the layup. North Platte shut down the Runnin' Lopes offense on their final offensive possession of the period to take the 22-20 lead into the halftime break.

Lamar turned the tides in the second half by first limiting the Knights to just four points in the third quarter. North Platte managed to trim the margin to one possession three times in the final period, but Lamar never relinquished their lead down the stretch and closed out the Knights.

North Platte (6-16) returns to the McDonald-Belton Gymnasium on Saturday for a rematch against Southeast Community College. Tip between the Knights and Storm is scheduled for 2 p.m.