Halley gets first double-double of season in loss to Blue Devils

Kansas City, Kan. – Reece Halley waited until the final two seconds of regulation to complete her first double-double of the season, but the Knights fell 54-44 to Kansas City Kansas Community College on the opening day of the HOF Classic on Friday.

Halley tallied 11 points and 10 rebounds, while Jada Grigsby led the way with 15 points on 5-of-16 shooting from the floor. Nariah Golden chipped in 11 points, four rebounds and one assist off the bench to round out the Knights players in double figures.

The Blue Devils raced out to an early 14-4 lead, as they held North Platte to just one field goal in the opening quarter. An 8-0 run helped the Knights pull within four, before the Blue Devils recaptured the momentum and pushed their lead to 25-12 at the halftime break.

Knights climbed back to within nine after a Golden free throw, but the Blue Devils quickly pushed the margin back to double digits in the third quarter. North Platte did not shy away and continued to challenge the Blue Devils over the remaining minutes of regulation.

A Golden three narrowed the margin to 39-30 in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter, before a 12-4 run gave the Blue Devils their largest lead of the game. North Platte retaliated down the stretch to narrow the game back to within twelve, before Halley snagged her final rebound and bucket needed to finish off her third career double-double as time expired.

North Platte (3-2) returns for the second day of the HOF Classic on Saturday to take on Metropolitan Community College. Tip is set for noon inside the Hy-Vee Arena.