Knights fall to Cougars on the road

Scottsbluff, Neb. – Parker Baumann had a team-high 17 points, but North Platte could not overcome strong perimeter shooting by Western Nebraska in an 88-74 loss on Tuesday night.  

A two-handed jam by Emmanuel Oladeru cut the deficit to two in the early minutes of the first half, but a long Western Nebraska run pushed the deficit into double digits. North Platte cut the margin to 28-18 on a layup by Landon Broer before another run helped the Cougars carry a 48-27 lead into the halftime break.

North Platte pulled back within 58-42 after a pair of Bryce Baez free throws, but Western Nebraska used an 11-2 run to stretch their lead to 69-44. The Cougars continued to shoot lights out from the perimeter in the second half as they put the finishing touches on their win.

North Platte finished the game shooting 40.3 percent (25-62) from the floor, but the Cougars knocked down 11-of-25 from long distance to aid in their win.  

Knights (12-14, 3-7 Region IX South) will return to the hardwood on Friday, March 1 against Otero Junior College. Tip is set for 7 p.m. inside the McDonald-Belton Gymnasium.