North Platte – The North Platte Community College Knights women’s basketball team faltered in the fourth quarter and were defeated 47-43 by the Laramie County Community College Golden Eagles, Friday night at the McDonald – Belton Gymnasium.

The Knights improved since the first meeting between the two colleges. In November, the Knights fell to the Golden Eagles in Cheyenne, Wyo., 105-36.

The Knights led throughout the first three quarters but were outscored 15-8 in the final period.

The Knights jumped out to a 7-2 lead. They maintained their lead and led 13-12 after the first quarter.

The Knights increased their lead to seven leading 24-17. The Golden Eagles outscored the Knights 5-2 and led 26-22 at the end of the half.

The Knights kept the pressure on in the third quarter, causing six turnovers and leading by as much as eight 32-24. The Knights led at the end of the third quarter 35-32.

Emily Joseph, from St. Petersburg, Fla., led the Knights in scoring with 16 points. Joseph was the only Knight to score in double figures. Nahatabaa Nacona, from Chinle, Ariz., and Dehje Belmore, from Denver, Colo., each scored 8 points.

Belmore led the Knights in rebounding with nine rebounds.

The Knights are now 2-9 on the season.

Knights Head Coach Jeff Thurman said “We competed tonight and played with heart and great energy. Tonight really showed who we are and could be defensively.”

The Golden Eagles, now 9-4, had two players scoring in double figures, led by Karli O’Brien with 15 points. Haylie Anderson added 11 points. O’Brien also led the Golden Eagles with 11 rebounds. Ja’Kia Wells added 10 rebounds.

Eastern Wyoming would be the next team up for the Knights on Saturday afternoon. The Lancers beat the Knights earlier in the season 79-59 and the Knights were excited to show their improvement since the beginning of the season.

The Knights started out with an 8-2 lead and led at the end of the first quarter, 13-12.

In the second quarter, the Lancers outscored the Knights 13-12 to make the score 25-25 at halftime.

From there it was all Lancers as they showed why they have only lost once so far on the season. Starting guard Emily Buchanan came alive in the 3rd, scoring 6 pts and playing stifling defense against the Knights.

The Knights didn’t score until 2:25 left in the quarter and were behind 41-30 at the start of the 4th.

A 16-10 4th quarter was all the visiting Lancers needed to get the 57-40 win.

The Knights, now 2-10 on the season were led by Nahatabaa Nacona, from Chinle, Ariz., who had 12 points.

Nacona and Dehje Belmore, from Denver, Colo., each had seven rebounds to lead the Knights.

They wrap up the unofficial first half of the season when they travel to Colby, KS on Wednesday, December 12th. Tip-off is scheduled at 6 p.m.