Slow start propels Air Force Prep over North Platte

North Platte, Neb. – North Platte women's basketball returned to the McDonald-Belton Gymnasium but could not overcome a slow opening quarter in a 74-51 loss to Air Force Prep on Saturday afternoon.

Mariah Gardner matched her career high 13 points, while fellow freshman Remie Haynes finished the game with a season high 12 points in forty minutes of action.  

The Huskies added the opening basket of the game, before a 4-0 spurt gave the Knights their first lead of the contest. A quick response gave the Huskies back the lead, before a 12-2 run put Air Force Prep back on top for the remainder of the game. North Platte trimmed the deficit inside eight in the final minutes of the quarter, but the Huskies held on to a 17-9 lead.

In the second quarter, quick transition offense and stifling defense took its effect on the Knights, as the Huskies lead grew to 32-12 midway through the period. Gardner broke the nearly six-minute dry spell, as five straight points cut the margin to 32-17. Knights matched the Huskies down the stretch but faced a 39-22 deficit headed into the final twenty minutes.

Samantha Riggles would not return in the second half, but the Knights were determined to rebound from the large deficit. The Huskies gritty defense sealed the Knights fate, as they limited the high percentage looks at the basket while maintaining the momentum for the victory.

North Platte connected on just 31.1 percent (14-45) of its field goals, including just 5-of-20 from the perimeter (.250), while going 18-of-22 from the free throw line. Huskies won the rebounding battle, 34-25, while also shooting 53.4 percent (31-58) from the field against the Knights.

North Platte looks to get back in the win column on Wednesday, Jan. 18 when they take on Union College. Tip is set for 6 p.m. in Lincoln.