Knights fight off Runnin' Lopes to secure seventh straight win

North Platte, Neb. – North Platte Community College stretches their win streak to seven games with a 76-66 win over Lamar Community College on Tuesday night.

Nevaeh Golden led the Knights with 18 points on 4-of-9 shooting from the field. Jada Thompson added 15 points and four assists, while Zaily Mazarin chipped in 15 points and seven rebounds.

"We found a way to win tonight and that's what matters this late in the season," said head coach Jeff Thurman. "Proud of our defensive effort and stops in the fourth quarter."

North Platte opened the game with the first five points of the match up. Lamar pulled back within two on a long-range jumper by Ana Zesati with 2:58 remaining. Neveah Golden responded by connecting on a three pointer to trigger a 10-4 run to end the first quarter.

A bucket-for-bucket battle for the entirety of the second quarter helped extend the lead to 34-24 at the halftime break.

Lamar erupted in the opening minutes of the second half with a 15-2 rally to knot the game up at 40-40. Madison Cheleen broke the deadlock with a jumper in transition to ignite an 8-3 run over the next 2:20. The Runnin' Lopes kept pace and managed to cut the margin to four headed into the final ten minutes.

The lead changed hands eight times in the fourth quarter, until a late 10-2 run secured the win for North Platte.

Knights (17-10, 3-0 Region IX) will host Central Community College for their final Region IX regular season matchup on Saturday. Tip is scheduled for 2 p.m. inside McDonald-Belton Gymnasium.