Knights close out first half of season with loss to Thunderbirds

Sterling, Colo. – North Platte nearly erased a 16-point deficit in the second half, but Casper College managed to hold on late for the 90-83 win on Saturday afternoon inside the Bank of Colorado Event Center.

North Platte shot 56.9 percent from the field, but only 20 percent (2-10) from the perimeter. Ramiah Adedigba led three Knights in double-digits tallying 28 points on 9-of-23 shooting, while Bruce Carpenter and Davion Evans chipped in 19 and 18 points, respectively. Josh Townley-Thomas led the Knights with 11 rebounds to accompany his nine points against the Thunderbirds.

Knights and Thunderbirds traded baskets throughout the majority of the first half, but a short Casper run helped the Thunderbirds build a 27-21 lead with 6:17 to play. North Platte rallied to cut the margin to one twice over the next three minutes, but a 13-3 run to close the half gave Casper the 47-36 lead at the halftime break.

North Platte steadily chipped away at the deficit in the opening six minutes of the second half, cutting the deficit to 58-51 on a corner three by Evans. Casper answered with a 10-1 run over the next two minutes to build a comfortable 68-52 lead.

The Thunderbirds lead remained in double-digits before a late run pulled the Knights back within six on a floater by Carpenter with 2:15 remaining. Casper saw their lead trimmed to five inside the closing minutes but managed to hold off the Knights to earn the victory.

North Platte (8-4) will return to the hardwood on Monday, Jan. 9 against Hastings College JV in Hastings, Neb. Knights defeated the Broncos 98-95 in a tightly contested matchup back on Nov. 22.