Knights stretch win streak to three with win over McCook

North Platte, Neb. – Jada Grigsby and Mariah Gardner combined for 28 points in a 56-38 win over McCook Community College on Tuesday evening.

Grigsby scored 16 points on 4-of-9 shooting from the field, while Gardner chipped in 12 points in 32 minutes. North Platte won the rebounding battle 35-32, while forcing 28 McCook turnovers in the win.

North Platte improves to 15-9 overall and 4-1 in Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference action, while McCook drops to 14-12 overall and 4-1 in conference play.

A tightly contested opening first ten minutes gave way to a back and forth second quarter. A five-point Knights lead was extended to 16-7 on a jumper by Jada Thompson with 4:40 remaining. McCook narrowed the margin to six, but a 6-2 run helped North Platte carry a 22-12 lead into the halftime break.

Knights extended their lead in the opening seconds of the third quarter on a corner three by Grigsby. McCook mounted a run late to cut the lead to nine, but a pair of free throws from Gardner stretched the lead back into double figures headed into the final ten minutes.

Knights continued to hold the double-digit lead in the fourth quarter, as Grigsby tallied nine points to help North Platte close out the home win.

North Platte returns to Region IX action on Saturday against Southeast Community College. Tip is set for 2 p.m. inside the McDonald-Belton Gymnasium.