Knights improve to 2-0 with win over Lancers

North Platte, Neb. – North Platte Community College men's basketball improves to 2-0 with an 81-66 win over Eastern Wyoming on Saturday.

Justus Michael led the Knights balanced scoring attack with 14 points on 6-of-15 shooting from the field, while Dennis Rocha tallied eight rebounds to accompany his 14 points.

"Thought we got off to a slow start, but we were pretty good once we settled in," said head coach Jacob Brandl. "Felt like our defense showed up again on a night where we didn't shoot it great."

The first half was a back-and-forth battle with Eastern Wyoming building a seven-point advantage midway through. A spark from Brady Kennison ignited an 8–0 run that flipped the momentum, and a Rocha three sent the Knights into halftime with a 39–32 advantage.

North Platte found its rhythm early in the second half, stretching the lead to 20 with just over 12 minutes remaining. The two teams traded baskets for much of the rest of the game, with Eastern Wyoming trimming the deficit to 15 by the final horn.

The Knights controlled the boards and the paint, outrebounding Eastern Wyoming 45–36 and recording six blocks on the night.

"This next week is going to be a big test for us," said Brandl. "We need to clean up our turnovers and mental mistakes, but I'm very happy at where we are."

Knights (2-0) return to action on Tuesday against Frank Phillips College. Tip is set for 7 p.m. in Borger, Texas.