Story by NPCC Athletic Communications
North Platte, Neb. – Knights women’s basketball fell to McCook Community College, 57-56, at the Peter and Dolores Graff Events Center on Tuesday night.
It was a tightly contested game from start to finish, North Platte took an early 4-0 lead after a pair of free throws from Zaily Marazin. The Indians went on to outscore the Knights over the final 5:41 of the quarter to take a 14-10 lead into the quarter break.
McCook stretched their lead to 18-10 after a short run to open the second quarter. North Platte slowly chipped away at the deficit as they narrowed the margin to 22-20 with 1:07 to play. McCook would not relinquish their lead in the final minute, as they built a 24-20 advantage headed into the halftime break.
North Platte battled back to retake the lead on a bucket from Jada Thompson with 5:09 to play in the third quarter. The game remained within one possession until McCook built a four-point edge with 6:23 to play in the final quarter.
The margin was pushed to five, but the Knights cut the deficit to one on a three from Marazin with four seconds to play. North Platte would receive one final opportunity to earn the win with a strong inbound play, but the shot was just off the mark clinching the win for the Indians.
North Platte connected on 33.3 percent of their shots from the floor and just 12-of-23 from the free throw line. McCook won the rebounding battle, 40-37, while shooting 32.7 percent from the field.
Knights (2-1) host Eastern Wyoming College for their home opener on Friday. Tip is set for 5 p.m. inside the McDonald-Belton Gymnasium.