Stifling defense powers Knights past Tritons

Ft. Dodge, Iowa – The Knights women's basketball team forced 46 turnovers on their way to a 62-33 win against Iowa Central Community College on Friday afternoon.

Kateria Gooden tallied 15 points on 7-of-12 shooting, while recording eight rebounds and three steals in 30 minutes of action. Madison Cheleen and EmmaJo Locks each chipped in 11 points apiece to round out the North Platte players in double digits.

Iowa Central opened the game with five straight points before a 32-2 run swayed the momentum in favor of the Knights. Back-to-back layups from Nariah Golden and Locks triggered the run that lasted over 16 minutes. Madisen Fay ended the long rally with a layup with 1:46 remaining in the second quarter, but the Knights carried a 32-9 lead into the halftime break.

North Platte continued to extend their lead in the third quarter, as a late 10-0 run pushed the margin to 48-18. Tritons opened the final ten minutes on a short spurt, but the Knights maintained the sizeable margin to return to the win column.

North Platte (4-3) will be back in action on Saturday to round out the Great Western Dining Classic against Anoka-Ramsey Community College. Tip is set for noon inside the Dr. John E. Hodges Fieldhouse.