The North Platte Community College Lady Knights basketball team defeated the Iowa Lakes College Lakers 86-79 at the Hawks Classic on Saturday.

“The game went back and forth and we came back in the fourth quarter to get the win.” said Richard Thurin, head coach of the Lady Knights.

“It was a good feeling to get the win”, Thurin said.

The win was Coach Thurin’s 500^th combined high school and college career win.  Thurin has 196 victories on the collegiate level and 304 wins while coaching at Roseland and Grant High Schools.  Thurin started the girls’ basketball program at Grant.  He is in his 15^th year as head coach of the Lady Knights.

Thurin praised the play of Sarah Mahr and Mai’Zhrae Zeno.

“Sarah had a great game and Mai’Zhrae came in during the fourth quarter and did some good things for us.” Thurin said.

Mahr led the Lady Knights with 24 points.  She was one of four Lady Knights to score double digits in points.  Zulema Viescas and Djmonii Jackson each had 11 points and Mickenzie Brennan added 10 points.  Zeno contributed nine points. Viescas and Zeno both had seven rebounds to lead the Lady Knights.

For the Lakers, they had four players in double figures led by Asiya Smith who tied with Mahr for game high honors with 24 points.  Leara Blair contributed 20 and Lauryn Smith had 16.  Jackie Petrich had 10 points.  Asiya Smith led the Lakers with seven rebounds.

The Lady Knights improve to 2-2 on the season while the Lakers drop to 1-2.

The Lady Knights are in action on Monday when they travel to play York College Junior Varsity.  Game time is at 6 pm.