Knights open season with road win against Lakers

Estherville, Iowa – North Platte Community College women's basketball used a 10-0 run in the fourth quarter to secure the road win against Iowa Lakes Community College on Friday night.

Zaily Marazin, notched her first double-double of her collegiate career, totaling 22 points and 10 rebounds in 23 minutes of action. Nariah Golden added 15 points and seven steals, while EmmaJo Locks tallied 13 points and five assists in the game.

The Knights jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the opening 3:17 of the first quarter. Iowa Lakes charged back with a 7-0 run to take their first lead of the game. A pair of free throws by Golden broke the rally, but the Lakers stretched their lead to six at the end of the first quarter.

Marazin and Kateria Gooden helped cut the deficit to 16-15 as the defense tightened up. Iowa Lakes stretched their lead back to five, before an 8-0 run put the Knights into the driver's seat. North Platte limited the Lakers to just four points over the final 5:43, as a three from Madison Cheleen pushed the Knights lead to 28-24 at the half.

Locks and Marazin combined for a 6-0 run to open the second half to push the lead into double digits, 34-24. Iowa Lakes continued to battle over the final 8:13, as they narrowed the margin to seven by the end of the third quarter.

The Lakers used a 7-1 run to cut the deficit to 43-42 with 8:09 to play. North Platte settled back into their rhythm to counter with a 10-0 run. Iowa Lakes narrowed the margin to seven, but a Knights 9-2 run secured the 64-50 win.

Knights (1-0) will square off with Marshalltown Community College on Saturday. Tip is set for noon inside the Laker Gymnasium in Estherville, Iowa.