The North Platte Community College Knights basketball team lost on the road to National Junior College Athletic Association Region IX South Sub-Region opponent Western Nebraska Community College Cougars 84-77 at the Cougar Palace on Friday Night.

The Knights jumped out to a 24-14 lead with 10 minutes to go in the first half and increased the lead to 12, 32-20 with four minutes to go in the half.  The Cougars cut away at the lead and trailed  only 36-31 at halftime.

In the second half, the Cougars were hot from the field, shooting 18 for 29, which is 62.1 percent.  They also hit 4 of 8 from the three-point line.

The Knights shot 35.7 percent in the second half.

The Knights, who are now 7-5 and 1-2 in Region IX South Sub-Region play were led in scoring by Leito Holloway with 16 points.  Diontae Champion finished with 14 points, David Ramon had 13 points and Mike Amius scored 10 points.  Tyree Peter had six rebounds to lead the Knights .

The Cougars are 9-5 and 1-3 in the South Sub-Region.  They were led by Andrew Ramirez with 24 points.  Michael Connor added 18 points while Tyrell Williams and Phil Fayne added 12 and 11 points respectively.