Story by NPCC Athletic Communication
Sterling, Colo. – Alex Harper connected on 5-of-8 from beyond the arc to help North Platte down Northeastern Junior College, 81-68, on the road Tuesday night.
"Really proud of our approach this week,” said head coach Jacob Brandl. "The guys fought and were disciplined the entire night.”
Harper led the Knights with 20 points in 26 minutes off the bench. Mo Diao chipped in 15 points and six rebounds, while Justus Michael and Trey Summers rounded out the North Platte players in double figures with 13 points each.
North Platte trailed early, but a three from Harper with 9:24 remaining shifted the momentum. A 12-4 run ensued as a pair of free throws by Summers pushed the Knights lead to 32-24 with 7:01 to play.
Northeastern cut the deficit to 37-33 inside the final two minutes, but the Knights managed to outscore the Plainsmen and take a 43-35 lead into halftime.
A jumper from Justin Sapoi opened the scoring in the second half, but the Plainsmen would be held scoreless over the next eight minutes. North Platte took advantage to stretch their lead to 58-37 on a three by Harper.
Plainsmen cut the deficit to 64-57 inside five minutes to play, but one final run over the closing minutes helped the Knights put the game away
North Platte (13-7) returns to the McDonald-Belton Gymnasium on Friday to take on Western Nebraska Community College at 7 p.m.