Knights fall to unbeaten Golden Eagles

Cheyenne, Wyo. – North Platte Community College women's basketball trailed by 13 midway through the third quarter against unbeaten Laramie County Community College, before cutting the lead to 55-50 with 1:51 remaining. The Golden Eagles closed out the game at the free throw line to secure a 61-52 win over the Knights on Saturday afternoon.

Despite trailing by nine at the half, the margin never moved into double digits until after the midway point of the quarter. Laramie County used a 10-6 run in the final minutes to take a thirteen-point lead into the final quarter.

Knights swung the momentum in their favor, while holding Laramie County without a field goal in the opening 4:22. During that stretch, North Platte utilized an 8-0 run to claw back within five. Laramie County responded with their own 8-2 run to stretch their lead to eleven, 55-44. A short burst helped cut the deficit to two possessions, but North Platte was unable to mount the momentum needed to complete the comeback.

Samantha Riggles led the Knights with 16 points and 10 rebounds to account for her first double-double of her collegiate career. Jada Grigsby added 10 points on 4-of-9 from the field to accompany her two steals and two assists.

Knights held a 12-11 edge at the end of the first quarter after shooting 34 percent from the field, while holding the Golden Eagles to just 16 percent (3-of-18) from beyond the arc.

Laramie County reversed the momentum in the second quarter outscoring the Knights 17-7 to take a 28-19 lead into the halftime break.

For the game, the Knights shot 41 percent from the field (18-43), while going 12-of-20 from the free throw line. North Platte outworked the Golden Eagles on the glass, 37-33, accounting for 28 defensive rebounds.

Knights (1-2) return to the road for the Otero Classic beginning on Thursday, Nov. 10. North Platte will take on the Rattlers of Otero College at 8 p.m. in La Junta, Colo.