O’Connor picks up 725th career win with victory over Trinidad State

North Platte, Neb. – North Platte Community College men's basketball has not had the typical season. Through all the ups and downs the Knights are beginning to hit their stride as they picked up back-to-back victories against two tough Region IX opponents at home this weekend.

North Platte (12-12, 5-6 Region IX) had a battle on their hands, but emerged victorious against Trinidad State College on Saturday afternoon, 90-82. The victory marks Kevin O'Connor's 725^th career win as head coach of the Knights.

Knights had five players finish in double-figures including Timur Krupalija (19), German Plotnikov (18), Trevon Dennis (17), Caleb Horne (10), and Jevarrick Butler (10). North Platte finished the game shooting 54.8 percent (34-62) from the floor, and 19-of-23 from the free throw line.

Dennis and Krupalija combined for the opening seventeen points for the Knights, as North Platte jumped out to a 17-8 advantage in the opening eight minutes. The Trojans narrowed the margin to eight over the next three minutes, before a short 4-0 burst helped the Knights extend the lead to twelve.

Trinidad State cut the deficit to six with 4:13 to play, but North Platte kept the momentum as they quickly extended their lead back to double-digits. Inside the closing minutes of the half, Horne found a driving lane on the baseline, as his contested layup and successful free throw opportunity pushed the lead to fifteen. The Trojans cut the margin to twelve, but a two-handed jam by Dennis extended the lead to fourteen by the halftime break, 44-30.

Out of the break, Plotnikov extended the lead to seventeen after a three in the opening twenty seconds. The margin stayed in double-digits until the North Platte lead dipped under ten for a three-minute period midway through the half.

The Knights responded quickly, as Horne cut baseline and completed the layup after a pass from Plotnikov to push the lead back to eleven, 66-55. The lead never dipped under ten again until the closing minutes of regulation. Trinidad State tried to shift the momentum, but each time the Knights responded and closed out the victory in their last home game of the season.

North Platte will hit the road for their final regular season game against Western Nebraska Community College on Tuesday, Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. Knights took the first matchup of the season 89-66 on Feb. 5.