La Junta, Colo. – The North Platte Community College Knights Basketball team’s season came to an end in the quarterfinals of the National Junior College Athletic Association Region IX Men’s Basketball Tournament, losing to the Miles Community College Pioneers 88-80 on Thursday afternoon.

The Pioneers jumped out to a 13-2 lead, 12 points coming from Montenia Nelson.

Nelson came into the game averaging 8.5 points per game. The Pioneers continued their three-point assault hitting seven of 12 three-pointers during the first 10 minutes of the game to take a 27-13 lead.

During the final 10 minutes of the half, the Knights began their comeback.  The Knights went on a 20-6 run to tie the score at 33 and finished the half leading 44-41.

In the first half, the Knights shot 18 of 25 from the free throw line. They went 12 of 35 from the field and two for six from behind the three-point line.

In the second half, following a technical foul shot by Tim Wagner to make the score 45-41 in favor of the Knights, the Pioneers went on an 18-4 run to give Miles a 59-49 lead.

The Knights were able to come within two at 72-70, but the Pioneers went on a 12-2 run to lead by double digits 84-74 on their way to an 88-80 win.

The Knights finish their season at 19-13.  They were led in scoring by Diontae Champion with 26 points.  Champion went nine for 13 from the free throw line and eight of 20 from the field including one three pointer.  Mike Amius tied his season high with 19 points.  Victor Lewis, in his first game back from injury, added 10 points.

Sophomore Tyree Peter ended his Knights career by scoring four points in the game, and grabbing eight rebounds to lead the Knights.  Four of the eight rebounds were on the offensive side, which added to his single-season record year with 140 offensive rebounds.

Miles Community College improves their record to 16-16 and will face Gillette College, who defeated Northeastern Junior College 76-71.

The Pioneers lived up to their pregame reputation of shooting three-pointers by shooting 11 of 26 from behind the arc.

Riyadh Asad and Nelson led the Pioneers with 20 points each.  Kameron Rauch finished with 14 points.  Deng Kuany had a double-double in the game with 11 points and 13 rebounds.

The tournament will continue through Saturday, March 5.  The winner of the tournament will advance to the NJCAA National Tournament in Hutchinson, Kan.

Complete Region IX tournament coverage can be found at https://www.ojc.edu/athletics/region9athletics.aspx.