Rally lifts Golden Eagles past Knights

North Platte, Neb. – A strong fourth quarter backed by five three pointers helped Laramie County earn the 58-51 win over North Platte Community College on Saturday afternoon.   

Zaily Mazarin led the Knights with 16 points and seven rebounds, while Nariah Golden chipped in eight points and three assists in 31 minutes of play.

An offensive putback from Mazarin opened the scoring before the Knights pushed their advantage to 9-4 on a transition layup by EmmaJo Locks. The Golden Eagles began to heat up from long range as they narrowed the margin to two on a three from Flora Lukow.

A three from Alexa Stevens extended the margin back to five, before a 10-3 run pushed the lead into double digits. A Laramie County 9-2 run midway through the second quarter cut the margin down to three with 6:14 to play. North Platte answered with a three pointer as they rebuilt a 34-27 lead at the halftime break.

Laramie County used a 10-0 run in the third quarter to erase the deficit and take a one-point lead on a three by Lukow. North Platte was limited in the quarter as they generated only four points, but still held a 38-37 lead at the quarter break.

The Golden Eagles knocked down five three pointers while generating 21 points in the final ten minutes. North Platte broke an eleven-minute field goal drought with a layup by Golden with 8:58 remaining. A three from Dezirae Gonzales stretched the lead back to 43-40, before a flurry of three pointers rained down from the Laramie County offense.

During an 11-3 run over the next four minutes, the Golden Eagles knocked down three from long range to build a six-point lead. North Platte narrowed the margin to 53-49 on a steal and layup in transition by Golden, but the road team held on for the win.  

Knights (3-2) return to the McDonald-Belton Gymnasium on Saturday, Nov. 16. Tip is set for 2 p.m. against Northeast Community College.