Knights open season with win over Mavericks

Goodland, Kan. – Dazjanae Greene and Jada Grigsby shined in the season opener, as the Knights earned the 62-53 victory over Northwest Kansas Technical College at the Max L. Fieldhouse on Wednesday night.

Greene, a redshirt sophomore guard, led North Platte with 15 points while grabbing a season high 10 rebounds for her first double-double of the season. Grigsby chipped in 15 points including 10 in the second half to help the Knights earn the road win.

"We kept our composure under pressure in key moments tonight," said head coach Jeff Thurman. "This is a very good team win, and I am proud of our student-athletes."

North Platte found themselves down early before a late rally knotted the game up to close the opening quarter. Greene led the charge with six points, including the Knights opening field goal of the season. Grigsby chipped in four points by connecting on four straight free throw attempts under a minute to play in the quarter.

The Knights settled into their offense in the second quarter, while using a 9-0 run to build their largest lead of the first half on a three by Greene. The Mavericks managed to hold North Platte to just one more point for the remaining 6:23 of the quarter, as they cut the deficit to 23-18 by the halftime break.

Knights and Mavericks heated up from the perimeter out of the break, as teams combined for four three pointers in the opening 2:14 of the quarter. The Mavericks would knot the game up at 26-26 on a deep three, but North Platte stayed locked in and countered with a three by Grigsby. The energizing bolt ignited an 8-0 run to give the Knights the lead for good with 5:21 to play in the third quarter.

The Knights open the home portion of their schedule on Friday against Laramie County Community College. Tip is set for 5 p.m. inside the McDonald-Belton Gymnasium.