Knights return to win column with victory over Trojans

North Platte, Neb. – The Knights women's basketball team earned its first Region 9 South victory of the season with a 53-43 win over Trinidad State on Friday night.

Aliyah Herron led the Knights with 11 points, while Zaily Mazarin dominated the glass with 12 rebounds.

"I'm proud of our student-athletes and their effort on the defensive end tonight," said head coach Jeff Thurman. "We knew exactly what we needed to do defensively. Our goal was to disrupt, and the players executed the game plan."

North Platte opened the game with baskets from Herron and Jasmine Gilbert to jump out to a 4-0 lead. The Knights maintained the advantage until Trinidad State mounted a brief rally to pull within one. North Platte responded to the momentum shift and carried a 12-7 lead into the second quarter.

The Trojans opened the second quarter with back-to-back three-pointers to take the lead. The teams traded momentum throughout the period before a late Trinidad State three gave the Trojans a two-point edge heading into halftime.

Defense proved to be the difference after the break. North Platte limited the Trojans to just two points in the third quarter while scoring 13 of their own to regain control of the game.

The Knights protected their lead in the fourth quarter, extending it by one to secure the 10-point victory.

"While I'm pleased with the win, we still need to tighten things up offensively and take better care of the basketball," Thurman said. "We had too many turnovers, and that can hurt us moving forward."

North Platte (4–12) returns home Saturday to face Otero Junior College in a special 60th anniversary commemorative game. Admission is free, with tipoff scheduled for 1 p.m. inside the McDonald-Belton Gymnasium.