North Platte, Neb. – North Platte erased an eight-point second half deficit to defeat Central Community College, 74-67, to open conference play on Tuesday night.
“We did a good job of not panicking and taking one possession at a time,” said head coach Jacob Brandl. “Overall, I was really happy with our defense and guard play down the stretch.”
Sedrick Nari led the way with 20 points on 8-of-14 shooting from the field, as North Platte forced 14 second half turnovers to rally from a 55-47 deficit with 10:26 to play.
A 13-2 run capped off by a three-point play from Nari gave the Knights their first lead of the game with 6:44 remaining. The Raiders kept the margin within three possessions, until a 6-0 run cut the deficit to 67-65 inside the final two minutes.
North Platte put the final touches on their win by going 7-of-8 from the free throw line in the final minute to seal the game.
Mo Diao recorded his fourth double-double of the season totaling 12 points and 10 rebounds in 25 minutes, while Trey Summers (13) and Maurice Reide (10) round out the North Platte players in double digits.
Raiders capitalized on the up-tempo offense to build an 11-4 lead in the opening minutes of the first half. A short 4-0 spurt with 11:27 remaining cut the margin to three, but the Raiders responded by stretching their lead into double digits with 9:36 to play.
Knights went back to work and managed to cut the margin to 29-23 after four quick points by Diao. Raiders continued to respond down the stretch to carry a 41-33 lead into the break.
North Platte (7-5) will wrap up the first part of their season this weekend with a doubleheader of basketball beginning on Friday. Knights open the Region IX Shootout in Sterling, Colo. with Central Wyoming at 5:30 p.m.
