Story by NPCC Athletic Communications
Estherville, Iowa – Jada Thompson scored 13 points on 6-of-8 shooting to lead North Platte to a 55-33 win over Marshalltown Community College on Saturday.
Madison Cheleen added her first double digit performance of her collegiate career, finishing with 12 points to go along with her two rebounds and one steal. Zaily Marazin led the Knights on the glass with 10 rebounds to accompany her four points.
It was a low scoring first quarter despite North Platte jumping out to a 4-0 lead in the opening 1:27. The Knights used an 11-2 run capped off by a three from Dezirae Gonzales to take a 15-2 lead into the quarter break.
Marshalltown went on a 4-0 spurt to open the second quarter, before a 7-0 run extended the margin to 22-6. The Tigers were limited to just five more points for the remaining 6:06 of the quarter, as the Knights carried a 32-11 lead into the halftime break.
A 9-2 run to open the third quarter helped the Knights build a 41-13 lead. North Platte took their largest lead of the game at the 3:40 mark on a runner by EmmaJo Locks, 46-15. Marshalltown closed out the quarter on an 8-2 run to narrow the margin to 49-23 headed into the final frame.
The Tigers outscored the Knights 10-6 in the final quarter, but the large deficit could not be overcome in the final ten minutes.
North Platte (2-0) will travel south to take on McCook Community College on Tuesday. Tip is set for 5:30 p.m. inside the Peter and Dolores Graff Events Center.