North Platte – The North Platte Community College Knights basketball team defeated the Central Community College Raiders 78-73 in Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference action on Saturday afternoon at the McDonald – Belton Gymnasium.

The Raiders started the game going on a 9-3 run to take the early lead. The Knights caught fire and went on their biggest run of the first half of 16-2 to take a 19-11 lead.

The Knights continued to build their lead and led by as much as 14 in the first half at 43-29 and took a 43-31 lead going into halftime.

The Knights padded their lead to 15 at 48-33 when the Raiders started their comeback. The Raiders tied the score at 52 on a free throw by Malik Mooving. The Knights regained the lead and led by as much as eight throughout the remainder of the game.

The Knights are 7-6 on the season and 2-0 in NCCAC play. Ajang led the Knights in scoring with 17 points. Three other Knights scored in double figures. Godfrey Rolle finished with 15 points, Trajan Harris added 14 points, and Aaron Ridley added 12 points. Buom Dubuol led the Knights with six rebounds. Rolle also dished out six assists for the Knights.

The Raiders are 7-10 and 0-2 in NCCAC play. Latrell Talley led all scorers with 18 points. Jaxon Simons added 17 points and Zack Rice-Gordon added 13 points. Talley also had 11 rebounds to record the double-double.

The Knights are in action next when they take to the road and play Western Nebraska Community College in Scottsbluff on Friday, Jan 19. Tip-off is at 8 pm CST.