Knights comeback bid falls short against Trojans

Trinidad, Colo. – North Platte Community College men's basketball attempted to erase an eleven-point deficit in the second half, but a late rally ended the Knights comeback bid on Friday night against Trinidad State College, 83-71.

Knights leapt out of the gate, outscoring the Trojans 12-8 in the opening 6:12 as their lead stretched to four after German Plotnikov completed the old fashioned three-point play. North Platte managed to extend their lead to eight with an off-balance floater by Plotnikov, as the Knights broke the full-court press and attacked the interior of the Trojans defense, 18-10.

The Trojans turned the momentum over the next three minutes, using a 13-4 run to take their first lead of the game with 9:17 to play in the opening half. Trinidad kept the momentum on their side for the remainder of the half, as the deficit grew to nine by the halftime break, 48-39.

Out of the break, Trinidad pushed their lead to eleven where the deficit stayed until the Knights cut the margin down to two with 10:16 to play. During the three-minute stretch, Timur Krupalija recorded six of his eleven points, which included two offensive putback opportunities and a two-handed dunk off a steal in transition.

Knights kept it close down the stretch, before the Trojans utilized an 11-4 run over the final 4:07 to halt the North Platte comeback.

Plotnikov paced the Knights with 20 points on 8-of-10 shooting from the field, including 3-of-3 from the free throw line.

North Platte had one of their best shooting performances of the year, connecting on 52.8 percent of their shots from the field.  

Knights (5-8) will end the weekend road trip against Otero Junior College on Saturday, Jan. 22. Tip is set for 3 p.m. inside the McDivitt Center Gym in La Junta, Colo.