Knights edge Lancers in Region IX matchup

North Platte, Neb. – Davion Evans and Michael Cooper led the way with a team-high 16 points, but strong defense propelled North Platte Community College past Eastern Wyoming College on Saturday afternoon, 72-63.

North Platte connected on 46.8 percent (29-62) of their shots from the field, including 14-of-23 from the free throw line. Knights won the battle of the boards, 49-38, while making the most of their second chance opportunities against Eastern Wyoming.

A Landon Broer steal and transition layup helped the Knights extend their early lead to 20-11 with 8:37 to play in the opening half. Eastern Wyoming narrowed the margin to one, before another layup by Broer pushed the lead back to three. Knights and Lancers continued to exchange buckets for the remainder of the half, as North Platte held on for the 34-30 advantage at the break.

Eastern Wyoming erased the deficit in the early stages of the second half, by using a 10-0 run to steal the momentum away from the Knights. Bryce Baez fought through the Lancers defense to answer with a contested layup to stop the momentum shift. The game would remain tight the rest of the way, but the Knights defense tightened up to close out the Lancers.

North Platte (1-1) will begin the road portion of their schedule with Colby Community College on Tuesday, Nov. 7. Tip is set for 7:30 p.m. from the Colby Event Center.