Knights winning streak ends with loss to Lancers

Torrington, Wyo. – The Knights cut a double-digit third quarter deficit down to five in the closing minutes, but Eastern Wyoming College grinded out a 68-56 win on Saturday afternoon.

Jada Grigsby paced the Knights with 17 points, while Nariah Golden (12) and Dazjanae Greene (10) rounded out the North Platte players in double figures.

A low scoring opening half featured three ties but no lead changes, as the Lancers scored the opening basket and never surrendered their advantage. The margin never drifted over five until late in the second quarter. Reece Halley knotted the game up at 24-24 with 3:48 remaining, before a 9-2 run to close the half by the Lancers gave the home team a 33-26 lead at the break.

Eastern Wyoming hung on to a double-digit lead for most of the second half, but a run to begin the fourth quarter challenged the home squad. A 10-3 run, capped off by a steal and layup in transition by Grigsby cut the deficit to 59-54 with three minutes to play.

Lancers responded by holding the Knights to just one more field goal in the closing minutes, while erupting for a 9-0 run to earn their first home win of the season.

Knights (7-3) will return to the McDonald-Belton Gymnasium on Saturday, Dec. 9 to take on Northeastern Junior College at 6:30 p.m. The North Platte Community College athletic department will be kicking off a winter coat drive beginning next weekend. All donated coats will be distributed to the local Connection Shelter and Rape/Domestic Abuse Program of North Platte.