North Platte – The #25 North Platte Community College men’s basketball team (8-0) opened up Region IX play on Friday night as they held home court against the Otero Junior College Rattlers (6-3) in a 93-67 victory.

The Knights started the game out strong behind sophomore Ethan Montalvo‘s quick 13 points. The Knights defense played well in the first half as well limiting the Rattlers to 26 first half points. The second half both teams found more of a rhythm offensive as the Knights scored 50 points to Otero’s 41. The Knights shot 58 percent from the field and held Otero to 37 percent shooting.

The Knights were led by career-highs by Cameron Williams and Jacob Maslo who finished with 26 points and 20 points respectively. Maslo finished with a double-double grabbing 10 rebounds. Montalvo finished with 16 points and Tim Simmons also finished in double figures with 11 points. The Rattlers were led by Nick Ongarato who finished with 14 points.

“It was a good to hold our home court,” said assistant coach Nathan Wieseler. “Now we have to turn around and play a talented Trinidad State team and do it again tomorrow.”

The Knights return to action at 2 p.m. tomorrow against Trinidad State Junior College at McDonald-Belton Gymnasium. The Trojans are led by freshman Joe Smith with 18.1 points per game and brothers Richard (12.9 ppg, 6.4 rpg) and Keouvion McCalop (11.0 ppg, 5.4 rpg).

The Knights are then off until after the Thanksgiving break when they travel to face Hastings College JV on Dec. 3 at 7:30 p.m. The Knights host Region IX opponents Lamar Community College on Dec. 7 and Northeastern Junior College on Dec. 11 before Christmas break.