Knights rebound with win over Broncos

North Platte, Neb. – German Plotnikov had one of his best games of the year finishing with 29 points, as the Knights rebounded with a 92-81 win over the Broncos of Hastings College on Saturday afternoon at the McDonald-Belton Gymnasium.

A quick start by the Knights, propelled North Platte to a six-point lead by the 16:27 mark of the first half, as Timur Krupalija battled inside against tight defense for a layup. North Platte extended their lead to twelve inside nine minutes to play, as Trevon Dennis grabbed the loose ball and finished at the rim, 37-25.

Broncos continued to hang around, as the clock rolled inside the final seven minutes of the first half. A three ignited the Hastings offense as their defense tightened up limiting the Knights dribble and drive offense.

The Broncos continued their momentum and took their first lead of the game with 3:49 to play in the opening half. Hastings stretched their lead to four inside three minutes, but the Knights battled back and retook the lead late and clung to a one-point lead at the break, 48-47.

Broncos stayed within striking distance in the opening minutes of the second half, until retaking the lead and pushing the deficit to seven with 13:59 to play. Plotnikov led the Knights back, driving the lane and completing the contested layup.

The scoring margin remained tight over the next two minutes, until the Knights stretched their lead to five on a reverse layup by Nolan Sughroue, 72-67. Knights picked up the pressure on the Broncos defensively down the stretch, while pushing their lead to eleven inside the final minute to seal their fourth win of the season.

As a team, the Knights shot 47.1 percent from the field, including 23-of-27 from the free throw line, and 31.3 percent from long distance. North Platte outrebounded the Broncos, 39-35, and forced Hastings to turn the ball over twenty-one times during the contest.

North Platte (4-7) opens a four-game road trip with the Storm of Southeast Community College on Wednesday, Jan. 19. Tip is set for 6 p.m. inside the Truman Center Gymnasium.