No. 5 NPCC Knights Defeat Hastings JV Behind Simmons 21 Points

North Platte – The No. 5 North Platte Community College men’s basketball team’s (20-1, 9-1 South Sub-Region) earned their 20th victory of the season on Thursday night as they knocked off the Hastings College JV Broncos 82-71 behind 21 points from Tim Simmons.

Playing in their second game in as many days, the Knights couldn’t take control of the game in the first half as they played back and forth with the Broncos. The Knights would eventually take a 34-29 lead into the locker room.

In the second half, the Knights upped the pace and intensity as they scored 48 points in the half. North Platte was able to stretch their lead to 10 points, but could not stretch their lead any more until the latter stages of the game. Free throws down the stretch iced the game for the Knights.

To go along with Simmons game high, Ethan Montalvo and Cameron Williams each scored 16 points for the Knights. Freshman Luke Pittle came off the bench to score a career-high 11 points. Sophomore Tre’Vaun Hymer led the Knights with six rebounds to go along with six points.

Alex Thayer and Nate Maloley led the Broncos with 17 points each. Calista Nyambura was also in double-figures with 13 as was Derek Kissinger with 12.

“It was a hard fought victory,” said head coach Kevin O’Connor. “Give a lot of credit to Hastings, they really shot the ball well. Another short turnaround as we have to get prepared for Central on Saturday.”

The Knights play their third game of the week at home Saturday as they host the Central Community College Raiders (17-4, 2-1 NCCAC) on Saturday Feb. 1 at 3 p.m. The Knights defeated the Raiders 78-71 in Columbus earlier this year.

Saturday’s game will also be Boy Scout Night at the college as Boy Scout’s will be given free admission and the Knights basketball team will sign autographs after the game.

Saturday’s will be broadcast live by Coaches Aid and ASBN. A link to all live broadcasted games is available on the Knights webpage at www.npccknights.com. The game with Central Community College will also be broadcast live by ESPN radio 1410 and online.

Next week the Knights take to the road to face the Northeastern Junior College Plainsmen (19-2, 6-2 South Sub-Region) on Tuesday Feb. 4 at 8:30 p.m. CST and the Lamar Community College Runnin’ Lopes (6-16, 2-6 South Sub-Region) on Friday Feb. 7 at 8:30 p.m. CST.