North Platte – The No. 13 North Platte Community College men’s basketball team (23-4, 11-4 South Sub-Region) earned victory Saturday afternoon in McDonald-Belton Gymnasium as they defeated the Western Nebraska Community College Cougars (15-12, 6-7 South Sub-Region) 80-69 in a Region IX contest behind five players in double figures.

The Knights came out swinging early in the first half used an 11-0 run in the first half to take their largest lead of the first half into intermission at 41-27 behind 12 points from Tre’Vaun Hymer off the bench and 11 points from Ethan Montalvo as the Knights shot 54 percent from the field and only turned the ball over four times.

In the second half the Cougars used a “box and one” on Montalvo allowing several other players to get going offensively for the Knights. The Knights held the Cougars to 39 percent shooting in the game and the Knights out-rebounded the Cougars 42-32.

Hymer led all scorers as he finished with 19 points. Sophomore Tim Simmons scored 10 points in the second half and finished with 18. Aireon Porter recorded another double-double as he finished with 17 points and 13 rebounds after having 10 rebounds at half. Cameron Williams was the fifth man in double-figures as he finished with 11 points and Montalvo was held scoreless in the second half to also finish with 11 points.

“I just wanted to take advantage of the opportunities I had,” said Hymer. “It was a good team win with five us in double-figures.”

Derrick Bowers led the Cougars with 16 points while Tyler Crosbie finished with 15 points and Youshoupha Kane and Brandon Morney each had 11.

“It was a good team win and we had a lot of guys step up and make plays,” said assistant coach Nathan Wieseler. “Tre’Vaun had another big game tonight and it is always good to have five guys in double-figures.”

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.

The games next week 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.