Knights earn first win of season by defeating Eastern Wyoming

Torrington, Wyo. – Freshman Jada Grigsby erupted for a career-high 20 points and 15 rebounds, as North Platte came from behind to earn the road win against the Lancers of Eastern Wyoming College 63-60 on Friday night.

"I am proud of our fight tonight," said head coach Jeff Thurman. "We ended up slowing our tempo, which led to some higher percentage looks at the basket in the second half."

Knights captured the early lead after Grigsby banked in a three from the left wing, 4-2. Eastern Wyoming quickly responded with an 8-0 run to control the next four minutes. North Platte outscored the Lancers down the stretch narrowing the deficit to two by the end of the opening quarter, 14-12.

Following a 9-2 run by the Lancers in the opening three minutes of the second quarter, Chrishelle Washington drove the lane for the open layup to halt the Lancers momentum. The margin grew to ten with 5:30 remaining before half, but the Knights defense tightened up cutting the deficit back to four by the halftime break, 32-28.

North Platte hung around in the early minutes of the third quarter, eventually tying the game up on a mid-range jumper by Washington, 38-38.

The game remained tight for the remaining 14:42, before Grigsby and Reece Halley combined to go 4-of-6 from the free throw line in the final minute to close out the Lancers.

Knights (1-1) will continue the Wyoming swing on Saturday when they travel to Cheyenne to take on the Golden Eagles of Laramie County Community College. Tip is set for 3 p.m. inside the RAC Gymnasium.