Lamar, CO – The No. 3 North Platte Community College men’s basketball team’s (21-3, 9-3 South Sub-Region, 4-0 NCCAC) fell Friday night to Region IX opponent the Lamar Community College Runnin’ Lopes (8-16, 4-6 South Sub-Region) by a final score of 59-67.

The Knights started off the game slow and could not find their groove offensively. Tim Simmons kept the Knights in the game by making several big plays and scoring 10 points in the opening half. The Knights were only able to connect on 8 of 22 shots in the first half but 10 of 12 free throws kept them in striking distance at 27-35.

In the second half the Knights would battle back but were never able to get over the hump to take a lead after cutting the lead to a single point on numerous occasions. Lay-ups after breaking the Knights press and free throws down the stretch would make the final margin eight points.

Simmons finished the game with a double-double as he scored 18 points and pulled down 10 rebounds. Aireon Porter and Jake Maslo were also in double-figures with 12 and 10 points respectively. The Knights leading scorer Ethan Montalvo was held to only seven points.

Jacoby Harrison led the way for the Runnin’ Lopes as he also finished with a double-double off the bench with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Curtis Redd led Lamar in scoring with 18 and Tiwian Kendley finished with 11.

“It was a tough week for our team,” said assistant coach Nathan Wieseler. “We have to have a couple good days of practice and be ready to travel to McCook on Tuesday.”

Next week the Knights travel to McCook Community College (16-7, 6-4 South Sub-Region, 2-2 NCCAC) on Tuesday, February 11 to face the Indians at 7:30 p.m. The Knights then return home for a Friday-Saturday double-header as they host the Eastern Wyoming Lancers (9-12, 1-8 South Sub-Region) on Friday, February 14 at 7:30 p.m. and the Western Nebraska Community College Cougars (14-9, 5-4 South Sub-Region) on Saturday, February 15 at 3 p.m.

The Knights have defeated all three teams already this year. The Knights won at home over McCook two weeks ago 82-79 while on the road they defeated the Lancers Jan 11. 79-69 and the Cougars Jan 10. 75-68.