NPCC Lady Knights Lose to the Lamar Runnin’ Lopes

Lamar, CO – The North Platte Community College Lady Knights basketball team (13-10, 2-1 Region IX Division II, 3-1 NCCAC) lost to the Lamar Community College Runnin’ Lopes (13-8) Friday night as 14 girls played and 11 scored for the Runnin’ Lopes in the 62-71 victory.

As they did when they played in North Platte, the Runnin’ Lopes were true to their name and flew the ball up and down the court all night and subbed a new five players in almost every minute. The strategy worked to speed up the Lady Knights as they turned the ball over 46 times.

In the first half, the Runnin’ Lopes were able to gain an eight point lead at intermission. No one was in double-figures in the first half. The Lady Knights had seven girls score compared to the Runnin’ Lopes who had nine get on the score board.

The second half was more of the same as the Lady Knights were never able to close the gap as they played even with Lamar. The Runnin’ Lopes attempted 95 shots including shooting 7 of 54 from the 3-point line compared to the Lady Knights who shot the ball 67 times.

“We played hard but had too many turnovers,” said head coach Richard Thurin. “We have to make better decisions and cut down on turnovers.”

April Stull led all scorers as she finished with a double-double on 8 of 11 shooting as she scored 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. DaVontaye Merritt also finished with a double-double as she pulled down 13 rebounds and scored 13 points. Courtney Widdick was also in double-figures as she finished with 10 points.

The Runnin’ Lopes placed two players in double-figures as Ellie Stevens scored 11 and Gabriela Jimenez scored 10.

Next week the Lady Knights travel to McCook Community College (5-18, 1-3 NCCAC) to face the Lady Indians on Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 5:30 p.m. before returning home on Friday, Feb. 14 to face the Eastern Wyoming College Lady Lancers (12-10) at 5:30 p.m. The Lady Knights finish out the week by hosting the Nebraska Wesleyan University JV on Sunday, February 16 at 2 p.m.

The Lady Knights defeated the Lady Indians at home Jan. 29 by a score of 64-58 while the Lady Lancers knocked off the Lady Knights in Torrington, Wyo. Jan 11 by 18 points in a 59-77 game.