No. 13 NPCC Knights Knock Off Eastern Wyoming

North Platte – The No. 13 North Platte Community College men’s basketball team (22-4, 10-4 South Sub-Region) got back on the winning track Friday night as they knocked off the Eastern Wyoming Lancers (10-14, 2-10 South Sub-Region) by a score of 74-57.

The Knights Ethan Montalvo got off to a fast start and helped the Knights to a 35-28 halftime lead as he scored 16 points in the half of 7 of 9 shooting. The Knights and Lancers traded runs in the first half as the Knights had an 11-2 run and the Lancers answered with a 12-2 run of their own. Jason McClellan kept the Lancers in it with 11 first half points.

In the second half the Knights continued their defensive intensity and continued to find their offensive groove as several other players stepped into the act as Montalvo only scored one point in the half. The Knights ended the evening with four players in double-figures while the Lancers placed three in double-figures.

Montalvo led all scorers with 17 while Tre’Vaun Hymer came off the bench to give the Knights a spark and finish with 13. Aireon Porter also scored 13 while chipping in 13 rebounds. Cameron Williams was the fourth Knight in double-figures as he finished with 11 points.

McClellan led the Lancers with 16 points but only five second half points. Jonathan Doss scored 15 and Mark Hall had 11 to pace the Lancers.

“It was good to get back on the winning side of things,” said head coach Kevin O’Connor. “It was great to see Tre’Vaun step up off the bench and to see our team hold them under 60 points.”

The Knights finish out the week tomorrow when they host Western Nebraska Community College Cougars (15-10, 6-5 South Sub-Region) at 3 p.m. North Platte defeated the Cougars on Jan. 10 75-68.

The game will be live streamed by Coaches Aid. A link to the broadcast can be found by going to www.npccknights.com and clicking on the “Live Video” link.

Next week marks the end of the regular season as the Knights host Laramie County Community College (16-10, 7-6 South Sub-Region) on Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. and Southeast Community College (19-9, 0-4 NCCAC) on Feb. 22 at 4 p.m. The Knights fell at Laramie County 78-82 and defeated Southeast 83-68.